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Srinagar, Sep 26 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today announced that the second installment of Rs 60,000 would be released to survivors of a devastating earthquake of October 8 last year in one go.

He appreciated the courage of the people of Tangdhar, Uri and other quake-effected areas for braving the brunt of the devastating quake and rebuilding the villages with the government assistance.

Addressing a public gathering at the quake-ravaged Tangdhar, the Chief Minister said the government efforts have yielded encouraging results with active public cooperation.

He said a modern Tangdhar was coming up on the ruins created by the powerful earthquake last year. ''One feels satisfied to see that the government's efforts have borne fruits with the strong will of the people,'' Mr Azad added.

He said it was for the first time in the country's history that the quake-affected people of Jammu and Kashmir received a financial assistance ranging from Rs 1.35 lakh to Rs 2.00 lakh per family for fully damaged house as against Rs 10,000 to 40,000 to the victims of quakes, tsunamis and other natural calamities in Gujarat, Latur, Tamil Nadu and elsewhere.

The Chief Minister announced that instead of paying balanced amount of Rs 60,000 to the affected families in two installments, the entire amount would be released in favour of 26,188 households in one go to enable them to complete the construction of permanent residential structures before December 31.

He lauded the civil administration, the Army and the Centre for putting in stupendous efforts to rehabilitate the quake survivors.

The liberal central assistance made it possible for the state to get temporary shelter sheds and community halls constructed in the affected areas well before the onset of winter, Mr Azad added.

He said visits of President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other leaders to quake-hit areas revived the courage and gave heart to survivors besides proving important catalyst for speedy rehabilitation of the affected people.

The Chief Minister hailed the state administration for timely endeavors to shift quake survivors to shelter sheds so that no death occurred due to snow bites and harshness of winter.

Mr Azad inspected a mini secretariat complex being constructed at Tangdhar and various other infrastructure development works. Later addressing a public gathering at Teethwal, the Chief Minister announced that a recruitment drive would soon be launched in border areas so that the youth could be given an opportunity to serve in the police force.

All efforts would be made to provide basic amenities to people and rebuild quake-hit areas as model villages, he added.

The Chief Minister also distributed cheques to the affected people both at Tangdhar and Teethwal.

He was informed that Rs 472 crore have been released to the affected people so far. Of which, Rs 434 crore have been received from the Centre.

Mr Azad was further informed that proposals for Rs 877 crore have been sent to the Centre for assistance. Out of this, Rs 379 crore were meant for creation of public infrastructure and Rs 498 crore for construction of houses. Apart from this, an external funding to the tune of Rs 196 crore was being explored for re-building 49 villages besides Uri and Poonch towns.

UNI