Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited flood-hit Leh on Tuesday and announced a relief package of Rs 125 crore to rehabilitate thousands of people who have been displaced.
“There is no dearth of money (to tackle the damage caused by such calamities). We will provide all the support required to bring peace and tranquility back to this place,” Singh said.
T. Angchok, deputy commissioner of Leh district, told HT the relief money would largely be used to reconstruct around 1,500 damaged houses.
Sudden rain on August 6 caused floods that left 183 dead and hundreds injured. Roads, houses, bridges and power cables were swept away, hampering relief efforts. Even as road links to many villages are being restored, the area is witnessing a power crisis. Telephone lines are still dead.
“We will ensure water and power supply and help. We will rebuild (the villages),” Singh said.
Singh, who landed here on Tuesday morning, also visited Choglamsar, the worst affected area. The entire village, 13 km from Leh town, was devastated by the cloudburst.
Singh also announced that a monitoring committee led by the chief secretary would make sure that relief measures are implemented properly.
“Before the onset of winter, I will visit you again and inspect the houses that will be constructed for you,” he promised.
{{/usCountry}}“Before the onset of winter, I will visit you again and inspect the houses that will be constructed for you,” he promised.
{{/usCountry}}Singh had earlier announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 100,000 to the kin of each of those killed and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured.
Singh’s visit came a day after Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi visited the district and promised to help.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Omar’s father and Union minister Farooq Abdullah, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and J&K Congress chief Saifuddin Soz accompanied Singh.
(With agency inputs)