Over 300 cr released for Kashmir earthquake victims

Srinagar, May 17 (UNI) The Centre has released more than Rs 300 crore to Jammu and Kashmir for undertaking immediate relief and rehabilitation work in areas ravaged by a devastating earthquake on October 8 last year which killed hundreds of people and rendered thousands homeless, an official spokesman said today.

He said an amount of Rs 300.28 crore against the announcements of Rs 600 crore has been released by the Centre on an 'on account' basis from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) to the Jammu and Kashmir government to enable it to undertake relief operations in the earthquake affected areas.

The Union Cabinet, in its meeting on October 8, 2005, announced Rs 100 crore to the state government after the powerful earthquake, the spokesman said.

Further, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to the state, had announced a package of Rs 500 crore for the earthquake affected areas, he added.

The spokesman said the Union Cabinet, in its meeting on March 30 this year, approved Rs 242.95 crore towards expenditure for relief and rehabilitation in the quake-hit areas in the state.

Further, the state government has projected the requirement of Rs 717.42 crore for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in the quake-affected areas.

The proposal was being considered by the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) set-up under the Chairmanship National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Vice-Chairperson.

UNI