After receiving the final report of the survey of Joshimath, it will be sent to the Center, a proposal for a relief package of 1 thousand crores!
The state government has stepped up efforts to get a package from the central government for relief work in the disaster-hit Joshimath of Chamoli district. According to the sources, a provision of one thousand crore budget is being made in the relief package. If required, funds will also be spent from the contingency head. After completion of ongoing survey regarding dangerous buildings etc. in Joshimath, a proposal will be sent to the Center in this regard. The government is busy preparing it. On the other hand, the Central Government is also keeping a close watch on the situation in Joshimath.
On Tuesday, Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba reviewed through video conferencing with State Chief Secretary Dr. SS Sandhu and other officials. The cabinet secretary directed to speed up the work including rehabilitation of all the disaster affected people of Joshimath at safe places. About 40 percent of Joshimath’s area is under landslide and has been declared disaster prone. So far 723 such houses have been identified which have cracks. 131 families have been temporarily shifted to the identified relief camps. Along with this, three sites have been selected for permanent rehabilitation of the affected. Dangerous buildings are to be removed. Various central agencies are involved in the investigation.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to seek a package from the central government for relief and rehabilitation works. Exercise is going on these days regarding this. Apart from the team of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the team of the Border Area Development Project under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs is also in Joshimath. On the other hand, the Central Government is continuously monitoring the situation in Joshimath and the work going on there, with Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gaba also monitoring it. On Tuesday, he reviewed the situation in Joshimath through video conferencing. On this occasion, Chief Secretary Dr. SS Sandhu gave him the complete details of the work going on in Joshimath. He informed that the affected are being shifted to safer places.
Steps are being taken by selecting sites for rehabilitation. Construction works have been banned in Joshimath area. Teams of NDRF, SDRF and district administration are engaged in relief and rehabilitation work. Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority informed that the team of the Authority visited the area. The Union Home Secretary informed that a high level team of the Ministry led by Secretary Border Management is in Joshimath to assess the situation. Cabinet Secretary Gaba instructed to give priority to demolition of selected buildings in the danger zone of Joshimath, to complete all works related to investigation and study in a coordinated and time-bound manner. Also assured that all agencies will be available at all times for necessary assistance to save Joshimath.
