WB and ADB teams to visit UttaraKhand
New Agency to revive UttaraKahndWB and ADB teams to visit UttaraKhand
Though the Centre and State Government failed to release an estimated death toll, more than 3,000 missing persons’ complaints have been lodged in Uttarakhand so far.
The Prime Minister is expected to enhance the relief package to Rs3,000 crore from Rs1,000 crore announced earlier. For this, teams from Union Finance Ministry, World Bank and Asian Development Bank are slated to visit the State to assess the damage.
The State Cabinet on Monday approved the formation of Uttarakhand Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (URRA) to oversee all reconstruction and rehabilitation works. The Cabinet also decided to ban construction on river banks.
Apart from this various decisions were taken by the Central and State Governments to rebuild Uttarakhand and rehabilitate the affected people. These measures were announced by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and State Congress in-charge Ambika Soni in Dehradun on Monday.
Speaking to the newspersons, the Chief Minister lauded the people of Uttarakhand for their courage and support to the stranded tourists. “More than one lakh stranded people have been evacuated. The death toll is a serious issue and while the armed forces personnel reported seeing 500-600 bodies, so far 3,068 missing persons’ complaints have been lodged in the State. We cannot simply release an estimated toll as there are certain regulations to be followed before declaring a person dead,” said Bahuguna.
The formation of URRA by statute is aimed at ensuring the desired level of reconstruction and development as we are planning to rebuild the State with the next 100 years in view, he added.
Addressing the media, Jairam Ramesh said that the URRA will help instill public faith in the Government by ensuring transparency in the utilisation of funds for disaster relief and reconstruction works while also looking into geological, environmental and various other aspects in execution of the works.
Jairam Ramesh also said that the relief package to Uttarakhand is also expected to increase to about Rs3,000 crore with officials of Finance Ministry, World Bank and ADB arriving here to assess the damage.
“I have agreed to the CM’s demand for increasing the job guarantee period under MNREGA from 100 to 150 days in the disaster-affected areas apart from which we have also asked the State to submit a revised labour budget which if approved may increase Uttarakhand’s MNREGA budget for 2013-14 from Rs450 crore to about Rs700 crore,” he said.
Releif from PunjabNew agency to revive flood-hit Uttarakhand: Bahuguna
Monday, 01 July 2013 | IANS | Dehradun
Announcing measures for the revival of Uttarakhand after last month's devastating flood, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna Monday said a new agency will be created for the task.
"An Uttarakhand rehabilitation and reconstruction authority will be established to decide planning and development of the state," Bahuguna said addressing a press conference here.
He said the government would be providing free rations to all those affected by the flood and villages which have been cut-off due to roads being washed away will receive supplies for a month.
He also thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for "staying in touch with us and promising all assistance from the Centre".
Punjab to send relief material to UK
Please do post pictures and reports of the extent of devastation and reports of R&R of Uttara Khand.Punjab to send relief material to U’khand
Tuesday, 02 July 2013 | Pioneer News Service | Chandigarh
Expressing solidarity with Uttarakhand Government and the people who have been rendered homeless due to devastating floods, Punjab Government on Monday decided to send relief materials for the victims.
As per the decision, the State Government would send 10,000 tonnes of atta and rice, 100 tonnes of sugar and 10,000 blankets, shawls and sweaters for the victims.
Besides, it has also been decided to construct dwelling units in 25 villages for victims whose houses have been completely destroyed due to floods.
For the same, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has deputed Secretary and chief engineer of PWD (B &R) to work out modalities and logistics with the Uttarakhand Government.
Badal, reiterating his commitment towards the victims of flash floods, said that Punjab was committed towards providing succor to them at this hour of crisis. Chief Minister has also constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary with Financial Commissioner Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Principal Secretary to the CM, Principal Secretary Coordination, Secretary Food and Civil Supplies and Secretary PWD (B & R), as members to oversee the entire relief and rehabilitation operation.
Chief Minister has also appealed to the people of the State to donate generously for this noble cause as the Punjabis were known for magnanimity and sense of belongingness world over and called upon them to demonstrate their all pervasive spirit of charity.
Meanwhile, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon assured the CM that his department would leave no stone unturned in accomplishing this robust exercise with missionary zeal. He said his officials would coordinate with district administration for the dispatch of relief material.
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