Even though most parts of Chennai city has returned to normalcy, the problems faced by people living in Semmenchery do not seem to come to an end. Around 4,500 houses were surveyed by government officials in Housing Board locality and Rs.5000 was distributed towards flood relief for families, but people complain that 2000 houses have been left out of the survey.
“Teachers came and surveyed about 4500 houses in the Housing Board area for five days but left out 2000 houses. When we asked them why they were not surveying our homes and providing compensation of Rs.5000 as to the rest of the houses, they responded by saying that we are told to only survey 4000 houses in this locality by officials,” said Hari, a resident of Semmenchery.
The remaining residents have been given a form which needs to be filled and submitted at the Kumaran Nagar Taluk Office in Shollinganallur. The form contains survey questions about their ration card, family details and how badly their houses have been affected during the floods.
Though people in the locality say they are disappointed with the additional paperwork, the Taluk office assured that the rest of the houses will also be provided with compensation soon. Talking to The News Minute, Shivashankar, Village Administrative Officer at Kumaran Nagar Taluk office said, “The survey of rest of 2000 houses will surely be taken. Only the Tehsildar can tell when people will be sent for survey again but it will be carried out soon.”