In view of the disaster that claimed 15 lives officially since Thursday night, the special session of the Vidhan Sabha, scheduled for July 4-5, has been rescheduled for July 21-22. This followed the MlAs asking the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to reschedule the session as they were engaged in relief works in their respective constituencies. Hence, the Cabinet decision to defer the session.
Previously, the Cabinet had decided to convene the special session on July 4-5 to bail out the State from the financial crisis that has been looming large on it since imposition of the President Rule on March 27.
At the Cabinet meeting held on Saturday, it has been decided that they would give instruction to the DMs of the disaster affected districts to disburse Rs two lakh compensation to the next of kin of the dead and Rs50,000 to those injured with immediate effect.
Cabinet has also instructed them to hold post mortem of the bodies on the spots. Besides, it stressed on two companies of SDRF be sent to the affected areas. Two helicopters must be kept on standby for rescue and relief work in disaster affected areas. Four ministers-Dinesh Aggrawal, Pritam Singh Panwar, Dinesh Dhanai and Preetam Singh discussed the loss incurred due to the disaster and also reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief work in the affected areas.
Cabinet has also constituted a committee for the regularisation of slums. The committee comprises Cabinet ministers- Preetam Sing Panwar, Dinesh Aggarwal, MlA Rajkumar, Navprabhat, Heera Singh Bisht, ex-MlA Tilak Raj Behad, Hemndra Bagadwal and Kashipur municipality ex chairman Mukesh Malhotra.
Now, the Cabinet has approved the proposal of making rules and regulation on the recommendation of the committee for the regularisation of slums. Cabinet has also approved the proposal of restructuring irrigation department and approved the post of principal chief. It approved the start-up policy.
New entrepreneurs will get financial support as per the MSME and a new start up council would be formed. Cabinet has given in principle approval for Pinder special area development council in Chamoli district and Mandakini special area development council in Rudraprayag district. Cabinet has also increased the financial assistance limit for the construction of building for labour under employee welfare schemes.
The Cabinet took not of the debris accumulating following the heavy rainfall in Didihat and Thal subdivisions of Pithoragarh district. Around 160 families were affected in village Singali, Dafila, Bastri and Naulra and two died in village Naulra while the figures were nine and one in Bastri and Charma respctively. The Cabinet was informed of 12 deaths, three cases of serious injuries and ten cases of minor injuries. Besides, 15 people were missing.
Three seriously injured people have been shifted to Pithoragarh hospital through helicopter. Other injured have been admitted in ITBP hospital at Mirthi for treatment. The number of cattle heads which died is 160 (big 47 and small 133). Apart from this, 12 buildings were partially damaged and four were completely damaged in Pithoragarh.
National Highway and Rural Motor Road near Guleni, Banderlima and Ranngaon have been blocked because of land slides in Pithoragarh. Thal-Munsiyari Road has been blocked too. BRO and JCB are being used to reopen the blocked roads.
Electricity, tele communication and water supply has snapped in the above -mentioned affected villages which are being restored. SDRF, NDRF, SSB, Assam Regiment, ITBP, Search and Rescue teams, DMMC, Police Force and Revenue Department teams are working in disaster affected areas. Rishikesh- Badrinath National Highway near Parthadeep, Maithana and Bajpu Kuher) has been blocked.
Workers are trying to reopen highway. Blocked 33 rural motor road is being reopened. Disaster Management Department requested all citizens to be alert. The people living in sensitive areas near rivers are being sifted at safer zones.