Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today announced a 125 crore rupees relief package for the Leh cloudburst victims. Dr Singh, who went on a day-long visit to take stock of relief and rehabilitation undertaken in the aftermath of flash floods, said all houses destroyed by the natural calamity will be reconstructed within the next two and a half months.Interacting with the people in the worst affected Choglamsur village, the Prime minister assured that funds will not be a problem. He said the central and Jammu and Kashmir governments will take all possible measures to help the bereaved families.Dr Singh said a monitoring committee under the chairmanship of state Chief Secretary will be constituted to ensure effective implementation of various schemes for the affected people. During his visit to a relief camp in Choglamsur, he said he would visit Leh again before the onset of winter.Dr Singh also held a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and state officials to discuss the steps being taken for the relief and rehabilitation measures. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Union ministers Ghulam Nabi Azad, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Saifuddin Soz. AIR correspondent reports that the fear and agony is writ large on the faces of people who braved the nature's fury.Leh's tranquility stands shattered today. The rubbles on both sides of the roads narrate the tale of devastation. There are no traces of houses on long stretches as the cloud burst has flattened many areas. The Prime Minister who visited many areas was moved when a wailing woman, who has lost everything, broke down while relating her stroy of trauma.People staying in the relief camp are yet to recover from the agony. Even the people still continue to search for their loved ones, the life has started to pick up. Shops are open and schools are working but the tourists are still missing on this moon land.
News On AIR | August 17, 2010 9:05 PM
Prime Minister announces Rs 125 crore package for flood hit Leh in J&K