Virudhunagar worst hit; funds for other districts after getting report CHENNAI: The government on Thursday sanctioned Rs. 18 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund to overcome the drinking water shortage in 10 districts. Virudhunagar, Tiruvallur, Dharmapuri, Salem, Villupuram, Krishnagiri, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Dindigul and Namakkal districts will be benefited. Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said though the State had received 1010.4 mm rainfall, 2 per cent more than the normal rainfall in 2009, a few districts had not received adequate rain. Moreover, the State had been receiving less than the normal rainfall since January, 2010. Mr. Stalin said some Collectors had sent reports to the government, stating that their districts were facing drinking water shortage. On Wednesday, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi chaired a meeting and decided to allot Rs. 14 crore for 8 districts in the first instalment. The meeting was attended by Mr. Stalin, Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi, Principal Finance Secretary K. Gnanadesikan, Revenue Secretary K. Dhanavel and senior officials. As far as Dindigul and Namakkal districts were concerned, Rs. 2 crore each was sanctioned on April 12 itself. Mr. Stalin said the funds would be utilised to dig borewells, desilt the existing wells, repair pumpsets and provide water supply through tanker lorries.