Centre to consider J

Srinagar, Oct 8 (UNI) The Centre today said it will fulfil a demand of Rs 1300-1400 crore made by the Jammu and Kashmir government for permanent reconstruction in the earthquake-ravaged areas of the state, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said today.

''Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has recently submitted a plan of Rs 1300-1400 crore for permanent construction in the earthquake affected areas of the state to the Centre for approval,'' Mr Patil said while addressing a function to mark the first anniversary of the October 8 devastating earthquake here.

He said the Centre was examining the plan and would definitely fulfil that demand. ''There is no problem in that,'' Mr Patil said.

The Union Home Minister said the Centre had initially given a financial assistance of about Rs 550 crore to the state government to undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation measures.

The Centre was considering a long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction plan for the state being processed by an Inter-Ministerial Committee headed by the Vice Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority.

The Centre provided Rs 300.28 crore from the National Calamity Contingency Fund, Rs 32.4 crore from the 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 Union Government had approved a special package of Rs 242.95 crore -- Rs 134.04 crore given directly by it and the remaining Rs 108 crore provided through central agencies.

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