Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a relief package of Rs 1200 crore for natural disaster-hit Uttarakhand. He has assured to provide more help later on the basis of the proposal of Rs 5702 crore given by the state government and the report of the central inter-ministerial teams.
PM Modi reached Dehradun airport at around 4.30 pm on Thursday. He was welcomed by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami. From here he was to go for an aerial inspection of the disaster-affected areas by an army helicopter, but the aerial tour was canceled due to bad weather. After this, the PM held a meeting with NDRF-SDRF and state government officials here to assess relief and rehabilitation work and damage.
He announced financial assistance of Rs 1200 crore for Uttarakhand. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to adopt a multi-pronged approach to help the entire disaster-affected area and its people. This will include measures such as reconstruction of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, renovation of national highways, reconstruction of schools, providing relief through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and distributing mini kits for animals.
The Prime Minister said that the assistance announced to the State under the Disaster Management Act and Rules, including advance payments, is for the interim period. The Central Government will evaluate and review the situation based on the State’s memorandum (Rs 5702 crore) and the report of the Central teams. He assured full assistance for restoration and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected areas.
Special scheme for damaged buildings of PM Awas Yojana
Under the special project presented by the Uttarakhand Government for reconstruction of houses in rural areas under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, financial assistance will be provided to those eligible families whose houses have been damaged due to floods. The Central Government has already sent inter-ministerial central teams to Uttarakhand, which have returned after visiting the State to assess the damage. Further assistance will be considered based on their detailed report.
Help to the families of the deceased, injured, orphaned children too
The Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the natural disaster and said that the Central Government will work closely with the State Government in this difficult time. He interacted with the disaster affected people of Dharali, Tharali, Pauri and Bageshwar and listened to their problems. He expressed condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. Prime Minister Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of those who died in the disasters and Rs 50,000 each for the seriously injured. Children orphaned in these disasters will get assistance through the PM Cares for Children scheme, which will enable their long-term care.
CM expressed gratitude to PM
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Modi, our double engine government is committed at every level for the relief, rehabilitation and secure future of the disaster affected people of the state. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of all the people of the state for the invaluable cooperation given in this difficult time of disaster and the relief package of Rs 1200 crore.
