Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee discussed the relief measures for Gujarat in the post-earthquake scenario with chief minister Keshubhai Patel who was invited for a preliminary meeting of the National Disaster Management Committee ahead of its first official meeting on February 18. The meeting was briefed by Patel and his minister for finance and revenue Vajubhai Vala, on the four rehabilitation packages being undertaken by the state government.

Patel informed the meeting about the rescue and relief operations undertaken by the army, air force and other governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations. The meeting was attended by Home Minister L K Advani, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, Minister for Information and Technology, Pramod Mahajan and president of the Nationalist Congress Party, Sharad Pawar. Sinha indicated that the entire rehabilitation costs would have to be provided under Union Budget, state budget by lateral and multi-lateral aid agencies, banking, insurance and financial institutions, according to a state government release.

The 37-member committee, which includes Congress president Sonia Gandhi and BJP president Bangaru Laxman, would suggest short-term, medium-term and long-term steps for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in earthquake-hit areas of Gujarat. Bureau Report