PM announces Rs 1,000 cr relief for Uttarakhand, toll at least 150

Manmohan Singh on Wednesday announced 1,000 crore relief for the state of Uttarakhand which has been ravaged by incessant rains and floods.

Zee Media Bureau

Dehradun: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday announced Rs 1,000 crore for relief and rehabilitation in Uttarakhand, which has been ravaged by incessant rains and floods. Addressing the media, the PM said that so far more than 10,000 people have been rescued. However, he feared that loss of lives may be higher than what was now. “It’s a huge tragedy,” the PM said, adding, “Our sympathies are with the victims of the family.” “Central and state administration will work closely to provide relief to the people,” Manmohan Singh assured people. Singh, who undertook an aerial survey of rain-ravaged Uttarakhand alongwith UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said what they saw was "most distressing" and the priority for the authorities was to rescue the stranded and provide succour to those most in need of it. The Prime Minister announced ex-gratia assistance of Rs two lakh each to the families of those who have lost their lives and Rs 50,000 each to those injured. In addition, ex-gratia assistance of Rs one lakh each would also be provided to those whose houses have been completely destroyed and Rs 50,000 each to those whose houses have been damaged. Kedarnath tragedy: Rescue ops on, thousands still stranded The Kedarnath valley in Uttarakhand was completely devastated after unprecedented flash floods hit the area and other parts of the hill state. The valley is in ruins following the unprecedented havoc wreaked by the overflowing Mandakini River. The entire 14-kilometre trekking route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath via Ram Bada has borne the brunt of nature’s fury; a massive loss of life and property is feared. Over 62,000 pilgrims and tourists are still stranded in calamity-hit Uttarakhand while 11,000 have been rescued. According to Union Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Army have together managed to rescue 11,000 of the stranded pilgrims and tourists in Uttarakhand, the worst hit in the heavy rains. Govt urges people to contribute to PM Relief Fund Shortly after PM Dr Manmohan Singh announced Rs 1,000 crores financial package for flood-devastated parts of Uttarakhand, the Centre also made an appeal to the nation to contribute in the Prime Minister National Relief Fund to help in the relief and rescue work being carried out there. Those who wish to contribute to the PM National Relief Fund can send in cheques/demand drafts to the following address - The Prime Minister National Relief Fund, South Block, Raisina Hill, New Delhi - 110001. For any queries in this regard contact: 011-23012312, 23013149. For online contribution/donation, one can visit: http://pmnrf.gov.in/payform.php With PTI inputs