Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde assured on Friday that the Central Government will provide all necessary assistances to Uttarakhand for its disaster affected people and areas.
He further said the Centre has already sanctioned Rs 1,000 crore to the State for relief operations while a team of experts from the Centre will be visiting the Himalayan State to assess the damage wreaked by the recent disaster. Shinde, who came here to review the disaster scenario along with Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi, said that it will also provide more money required for reconstruction and rehabilitation the people.
Chiranjeevi said that in order to compensate for the damage in tourism sector, in addition to the Rs 95 crore to be received by Uttarakhand from the Centre, it will also receive a special package of Rs 100 crore.Talking t o the media persons, Shinde said that it was normal for relief and rescue measures to pick up better pace after some days of disaster like the State Government’s efforts picked up pace some days after the disaster and works were undertaken in coordination with the armed forces and NDRF.
It had been decided that for the next 15 days, all the IAF copters presently in the State will remain here and drop ration and essential commodities in villages that have lost road links. Attempts are being made to repair all damaged roads, either by heavy rains, landslides and floods as early as possible. A JCB machine will also be transported by helicopter to the Kedarnath area to help in clearing the place and excavating debris.
Health officials and experts from the Centre are already in the State and adequate precautions are being taken to ensure that any type of disease epidemic were not occurred, said Union Minister. Among those still stranded at Badrinath, arrangements have been made to transport the sick, elderly, children and women to safe areas on priority. It had also been decided that as soon as the weather clears, maximum numbers of helicopters will be deployed to evacuate the stranded persons and after completion of the evacuation, the Army will comb the disaster affected areas, said Shinde.
Earlier, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna thanked the Central Government, Union Home Minister and Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi for the support provided to Uttarakhand. He said that the State government was working not only to assist the disaster affected but was also attempting to facilitate development in the affected rural areas. Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar informed about the damage wreaked by the disaster and relief measures. State Cabinet Ministers, NDMA member VK Duggal and senior officials were also present in the meeting.