Patil to visit Kashmir on anniversary of quake on Oct 8

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj Patil would visit Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday on the first anniversary of devastating earthquake in the border state that killed more than 1500 people.

Mr Patil, accompanied by top officials of the home ministry would visit Titwal and Tangdhar districts of the state. In Titwal, they would insect the infrastructure set by the security forces after the quake, and assess the relief and rehabilitation work done for the quake-affected people.

The centre had provided Rs 467 crore as immediate aid to the state for quake relief including tents, food, and temporary shelter and shelter material.

Meanwhile, the centre is considering a long term rehabilitation and reconstruction plan for the state. It is being processed by an Inter-Ministerial Committee headed by the Vice Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority.

The union government provided Rs 300.28 crore from the National Calamity Contingency Fund, Rs 32.4 crore from Calamity Relief Fund and Rs 134.04 crore was released as part of the Special Package.

Also on the recommendation of the Home Ministry, the cabinet had approved a special package of Rs 242.95 crore, having two components--direct relief of Rs 134.04 crore given to the state directly by the centre and remaining Rs 108 crore provided through central agencies.

UNI AJ VD BST1808