New Delhi: January 2, 2012

The UPA government cleared nearly Rs 1300 crore for Sikkim as financial aid from National Disaster Relief Fund.

Though Sikkim government had submitted a memorandum to the home ministry demanding Rs 7,400 crore.

So the relief package falls far short of the demands made by Sikkim.

Sikkim was hit by a massive earthquake on September 18, 2011.

The high-level committee, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, approved Rs 227.51 crore under National Disaster Relief Fund for Sikkim.

It also noted that “assistance for permanent reconstruction and mitigation measures in respect of government buildings, mines, minerals and geology and other important infrastructure will be separately met out of Rs 1,000 crore announced by the prime minister.”

During his visit to the earthquake-hit Sikkim, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced Rs 1,000 crore as relief funds after the 6.8-magnitude tremor killed around 80 people and injured 350 others.

Sikkim will also get Rs 41.64 crore from special component of national rural drinking water project.

The government, will however, bear the air-bills for air-dropping of essential supplies in Sikkim.

The Sikkim government had earlier demanded Rs 3,500 crore from the Centre for short-term rehabilitation measures in the wake of the devastating earthquake. This included restoration of damaged water supply lines, power supply, road network and classrooms where school buildings have been damaged.

Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling has said that estimated losses suffered due to the massive earthquake in Sikkim are at Rs one lakh crore.

Pic: A File image of September 18 earthquake
HT inputs

 

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