Centre okays Rs 243 cr for J&K earthquake relief

He said that the expenditure incurred by paramilitary forces on providing relief to victims had also been approved.

The Union Cabinet has approved an overall expenditure of Rs 242.95 crore for providing relief items to the quake-affected people in Jammu and Kashmir.

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The amount, to be incurred by various ministries, would cover procurement of tents, construction materials for erection of temporary and intermediate shelters, and other such activities, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said.

He said that the Cabinet had also approved the expenditure incurred by paramilitary forces on providing relief items to the victims of the devastating earthquake in October last year.

Jammu and Kashmir was the worst affected state in the quake which caused devastation in as many as 2760 villages in 12 districts. Of these villages, 149 were severely hit while 2611 were partially affected.

The provision of relief items included blankets, woollen garments, school uniforms, drinking water bottles, shelter material and cost of construction of shelter covers, apart from other basic requirements.