CM CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO STAND UNITED TO OVERCOME EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATION
Rs. 1.74 CRORE DISBURSED AS EX GRATIA PAYMENT TO EARTHQUAKE-AFFECTED IN EAST DISTRICT
GANGTOK, 26 Sept: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling called for public participation to assist the government’s efforts to overcome the devastation caused by the 18 September earthquake. The affected people need reassurance and support, not instigation and confusion, he stressed, underlining that circulation of rumours and half-truths would delay relief and rescue efforts, leaving the affected people even more disadvantaged.
Sikkim, he stressed, needs to stand united in this hour of bereavement and will need the collective effort of all its people to tide over the catastrophe.
The CM was addressing a special function held here at Chintan Bhawan to hand over ex gratia relief to earthquake victims of East district.
A total of Rs 1.74 crore were disbursed today, including Rs 65 lakh in ex-gratia payment to next of kin of people killed by the earthquake and Rs 1.09 crore as ex-gratia for damaged houses. This, it was informed, was the first list and a supplementary list will be prepared soon to cover those left out from the present exercise.
The CM reassured the gathering that the State machinery was working round the clock to mitigate the impact of the destruction caused by the earthquake and urged people to also remember that Sikkim has suffered devastation of an unprecedented scale.
The affected people, he announced, will be reached and adequate relief provided along with all assistance to help them rebuild their lives even as Sikkim collectively undertakes such a repair.
The trauma of the earthquake needs people to help each other, boost the collective morale and promote calm in these times of easy panic, he said. Unfortunately, he added, there were elements trying to sow discontent, confusion, distrust and panic among the people. Such sabotage should be defeated, he stressed, if Sikkim was to emerge into normalcy.
On the claims being made that hydel projects contributed to the earthquake, the CM pointed out this was an obviously unscientific contention because much more severe earthquakes have come in the past much before there were hydel projects or even electricity supply in the State or the world.
Canada has the highest number of hydel projects and Switzerland has extensive tunneling [for roads], but neither place has earthquakes, he offered further for comparison to dispel contentions seeking to link hydel projects with earthquakes.
He assured that the State government will take every step to provide relief to the people and added that everyone will have to display courage and community participation to overcome this situation.
It was informed that Rs 2.57 crore has been disbursed in North Sikkim for post-earthquake relief measures and towards ex gratia payments thus far. Funds, he added, will not be a constraint to reach relief and assistance to the people and more will be released the moment it was required. For South Sikkim, more than Rs. 1 crore has been released and Rs 2.30 crore in West Sikkim.
The CM reminded that the State Government was reaching relief and ex gratia equally among locals and non-locals and underlined that he has passed clear directions that now that funds have been placed in the hands of concerned elected representatives and officials at the grassroots level, there should be no delay in releasing relief.
Distribution of ex-gratia and relief has been decentralized. MLA’s, District Collectors, Subdivisional Magistrates, Block Development Officers, Panchayats and the Pipons have been provided cash for immediate relief operations, he informed and thus there should be no delays in this regard.
He also announced that a one storied building will be constructed for victims who have their own land and whose houses have collapsed.
Rs. 1.74 CRORE DISBURSED AS EX GRATIA PAYMENT TO EARTHQUAKE-AFFECTED IN EAST DISTRICT
GANGTOK, 26 Sept: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling called for public participation to assist the government’s efforts to overcome the devastation caused by the 18 September earthquake. The affected people need reassurance and support, not instigation and confusion, he stressed, underlining that circulation of rumours and half-truths would delay relief and rescue efforts, leaving the affected people even more disadvantaged.
Sikkim, he stressed, needs to stand united in this hour of bereavement and will need the collective effort of all its people to tide over the catastrophe.
The CM was addressing a special function held here at Chintan Bhawan to hand over ex gratia relief to earthquake victims of East district.
A total of Rs 1.74 crore were disbursed today, including Rs 65 lakh in ex-gratia payment to next of kin of people killed by the earthquake and Rs 1.09 crore as ex-gratia for damaged houses. This, it was informed, was the first list and a supplementary list will be prepared soon to cover those left out from the present exercise.
The CM reassured the gathering that the State machinery was working round the clock to mitigate the impact of the destruction caused by the earthquake and urged people to also remember that Sikkim has suffered devastation of an unprecedented scale.
The affected people, he announced, will be reached and adequate relief provided along with all assistance to help them rebuild their lives even as Sikkim collectively undertakes such a repair.
The trauma of the earthquake needs people to help each other, boost the collective morale and promote calm in these times of easy panic, he said. Unfortunately, he added, there were elements trying to sow discontent, confusion, distrust and panic among the people. Such sabotage should be defeated, he stressed, if Sikkim was to emerge into normalcy.
On the claims being made that hydel projects contributed to the earthquake, the CM pointed out this was an obviously unscientific contention because much more severe earthquakes have come in the past much before there were hydel projects or even electricity supply in the State or the world.
Canada has the highest number of hydel projects and Switzerland has extensive tunneling [for roads], but neither place has earthquakes, he offered further for comparison to dispel contentions seeking to link hydel projects with earthquakes.
He assured that the State government will take every step to provide relief to the people and added that everyone will have to display courage and community participation to overcome this situation.
It was informed that Rs 2.57 crore has been disbursed in North Sikkim for post-earthquake relief measures and towards ex gratia payments thus far. Funds, he added, will not be a constraint to reach relief and assistance to the people and more will be released the moment it was required. For South Sikkim, more than Rs. 1 crore has been released and Rs 2.30 crore in West Sikkim.
The CM reminded that the State Government was reaching relief and ex gratia equally among locals and non-locals and underlined that he has passed clear directions that now that funds have been placed in the hands of concerned elected representatives and officials at the grassroots level, there should be no delay in releasing relief.
Distribution of ex-gratia and relief has been decentralized. MLA’s, District Collectors, Subdivisional Magistrates, Block Development Officers, Panchayats and the Pipons have been provided cash for immediate relief operations, he informed and thus there should be no delays in this regard.
He also announced that a one storied building will be constructed for victims who have their own land and whose houses have collapsed.
Switzerland is a moderate seismic zone - unlike Sikkim which is IV/V - a very high seismic zone. Canada is mostly moderate except along the Western coastal areas which are high. There are many earthquakes in Canada (1500 each year) so the CM's statement is completely incorrect. Where does he get his research from?
ReplyDeleteDr Martin Wieland, the Chairman of the ICOLD Committee on Seismic Aspects of Dam Design and the Chairman of the Earthquake Committee of the Swiss Dam Society said 'in regions of high seismicity, earthquake safety of existing dams is a major concern.'
References below, more to come.
http://business.highbeam.com/542/article-1G1-116484206/shaky-ground-dr-martin-wieland-and-dr-r-peter-brenner
Seismicity of Canada
Seismologists locate an average of 1,500 earthquakes each year in Canada. Only about 100 of these measure more than magnitude 3 on the Richter scale or are felt by humans. Earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater are strong enough to cause a significant damage. Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is a Natural Resources Canada agency with a mandate to study and record earthquakes in Canada. The text and the figures presented in this section are a modified version of the material presented at the GSC's web site. For more information on seismic hazard in Canada and British Columbia refer to theGeological Survey of Canada and the Natural Resources Canada.
http://commons.bcit.ca/civil/students/earthquakes/unit1_02.htm
http://www.earthquake.ethz.ch/research/Swiss_Hazard
It is funny how our leaders always use examples from other countries to prove baseless points. That dams can trigger seismic activity is a known fact. Also the question is not whether the dams triggered the earth quake in Sikkim this time. The question is how the earthquake has impacted upon the mountains, the terrain and the people because of the dam construction. The houses and buildings in places like Dikchu and Chungthang have been subjected to continuous blasting from the construction sites. Many houses had already developed cracks. Needless to say, these already weakened structures could not resist the impact of the earthquake. While travelling to Chungthang, we also noticed that landslides are more in numbers and severe in nature on sides of the mountains where tunnels have been dug. Another example is Nandok village where the bursting of a water pipe from the Lagyap project washed away a portion of the village. If a small project like Lagyap can cause such damage what could mega projects do? We need to listen to the experience of the people who live by the project sites, reflect and learn for a safer future. Politicians need to think for the people and the planet earth more than that for corporates and money.
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