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| Rs 125 cr grant, ex gratia announced | | PM reaches out to Leh people, says every destroyed house would be rebuilt | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
LEH, Aug 7: A day after Youth Congress President Rahul Gandhi assured measures to provide healing balm to the disaster people of Leh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced that all the houses destroyed in flash floods would be rebuilt before the onset of winter. To make sure his promise was fulfilled, he said he would again visit the place later this year.
During his daylong visit to Leh, the prime minister announced a grant of Rs.125 crore out of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for reconstruction of Leh town and adjacent villages.
He also announced Rs.100,000 ex-gratia relief for the next of kin of those who died in the calamity and Rs.50,000 each to those injured in the Aug 6 flashfloods triggered by a massive cloudburst. At least 179 people, including six foreigners, were killed while 200 people are still missing in the disaster.
Addressing the victims of the tragedy, the prime minister said the purpose of his visit to Leh was to share the pain of the people of Ladakh at this critical point of time, in which so many precious lives had been lost and many children rendered orphans.
"I was shocked to hear about the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage to property caused by the sudden cloudburst," said the prime minister.
"My heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray to god to give them strength in their hour of bereavement," he said while underlining solidarity with the flood victims.
He added that he wanted to visit Leh earlier but could not do so as it would have hampered the rescue and relief work.
"Hospitals, schools, electricity connections and roads will be rebuilt and all rehabilitation works will be completed within the next two-and-a-half months and before the onset of winter. Funds will not be a problem," he said.
The prime minister said the relief will be given from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. He said both the central and state governments will take all possible steps to help the families affected by the flash floods triggered by a cloudburst that killed at least 179 people, including six foreigners, while 200 people are still missing.
Manmohan Singh also announced a monitoring committee under the chairmanship of the state chief secretary to ensure effective implementation of various schemes for the people.
"Before the onset of winter, I will again visit you and inspect the houses that will be constructed for you," he promised.
He had earlier announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs.100,00 to the kin of each of those killed and Rs.50,000 each to the seriously injured from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Besides the Rs.125 crore, a grant of Rs.5 crore each will be provided to the Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils under the Special PMNRF package to meet immediate requirements, the prime minister said. He also announced assistance of Rs.200,000 for each fully damaged house in Ladakh and Rs.100,000 for every partially damaged house.
The prime minister lauded the "brave personnel" of the army, the air force, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on "their courage, tireless efforts and deep concern" to help out those hit by the devastating floods.
"Altogether it has been a fine example of prompt and coordinated action in the face of nature's fury. The focus should now shift to restoration of public services and rehabilitation," he stressed.
He assured complete rehabilitation of the affected people would be undertaken with the collective efforts of the central and state governments and the Leh Hill Council before the onset of winter.
Besides, restoration of hospitals, CT scan units, drinking water supplies, electricity and road connectivity would be carried out effectively, the prime minister added.
He said all the restoration and rehabilitation works would be carried out under the supervision of a monitoring committee headed by the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary.
The prime minister assured that money would be a constraint for the reconstruction of Leh.
Later, he held a high-level review meeting on the losses, relief and rehabilitation measures. The meeting was attended by Governor N.N. Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, union New and Renewable Energy Resources Minister Farooq Abdullah, senior officials of the state and the district administration.
The Jammu and Kashmir commissioner/secretary, planning and Ladakh Affairs, B.B. Vyas gave a presentation to the prime minister about the damage caused by the cloudburst and the future strategies about relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures.
During his visit, Manmohan Singh gave a patient hearing to the people's demands and problems at the relief camp at Himank Complex and enquired about the supply of relief materials and availability of ration.
The heads and representatives of different religious, social and political organizations also called on the prime minister at the relief camp in Himank and submitted memoranda urging generous central assistance for reconstruction of Leh district. |
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