SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to approach Centre for grant of a special package of Rs 607.77 crore for rehabilitation of earthquake victims in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban district.
An official spokesman said here this afternoon that state cabinet under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today accorded sanction to the submission of memorandum for grant of special package involving an amount of Rs 607.77 crore to Centre for the rehabilitation of the affected people and for restoration of public infrastructure in districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban devastated in the recent earthquake.
Thousands of residentials houses and other government buildings, including educational institutions were damaged in the devastating quake recently.
People are living in tents while others are spending night in open fields because of panic caused by more than 50 aftershocks.
The Spokesman said the State Executive Committee headed by Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday reviewed the relief and rehabilitation efforts underway in the earthquake affected districts.
Over 80,000 families mostly in Doda and Kishtwar districts have been affected due to the quake on May 1 and aftershocks.
The losses to the public infrastructure have been assessed to the tune of nearly Rs 100 crore with major damage been reported in Doda where public infrastructure worth Rs 89.10 crore has been damaged.
The Chief Secretary asked the Divisional and District administration to extend relief to all affected families in the form of shelter, tents, and free ration along with carrying out immediate temporary restoration works of damaged public infrastructure particularly related to Power, R&B, PHE, Health and school education.
He directed that Rs 25 crore under SDRF already released for providing ex-gratia relief in cases of death, injury and damage to property and livestock should be distributed among all the affected people and additional requirement of funds under SDRF if any should be communicated for release.
The Chief Secretary called for ensuring distribution of free ration in all affected areas with directions to the CAPD for sending in advance the required quantum of ration to these districts for the next month also.
While reviewing the status of facilities being provided to the school children, the Chief Secretary directed the divisional and district administration to carry out repair and restoration of all partially damaged schools.
The Deputy Commissioners informed the meeting that fully or severely damaged schools are currently being run in open areas, tents, rented accommodations and other safe areas.
The District Civil and Police administration was asked to coordinate and run awareness and basic level training programmes for informing people regarding the precautionary measures needed in the event of further shocks.
Police and civil administration was asked to maintain high level of alertness and regular contact with all village level units to ensure a structured and planned relief and response.
The meeting was informed that pamphlets highlighting safety and other measures to be adopted are being distributed among people. Meanwhile, experts from National Disaster Management Authority have held meetings with engineers regarding earthquake resistant structural construction techniques.
Local masons and carpenters should also be given basic training regarding earthquake resistant construction, the committee observed.
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