Chennai, April 7 -- Expressing disappointing over Prime Minister Narendra Modi not taking up the Katchatheevu retrieval issue and release of Tamil Nadu fishermen during his Sri Lankan visit, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday announced special packages to the tune of Rs 576.73 crore for their welfare.

Making a Statement under Rule 110 in the State Assembly, he accused Mr Modi and the Centre of neglecting the interests of the State despite making several requests regarding the welfare of the fishermen, prevent their arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy and secure their release and their boats from Lankan custody.

He said the State Assembly had adopted a resolution a couple of days back demanding retrieval of Katchatheevu, an islet ceded t...