CM takes stock, directs relief and rescue measures

GANGTOK, 19 Sept [IPR]: A high level meeting was convened by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at Mintokgang on Monday morning. The meeting, which was attended by the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and Heads of Departments, discussed and took decisions on the recent earthquake that hit the state.
As per first hand information, there have been 36 casualties so far with 7 is East, 4 in West, 1 in South and 26 in North Sikkim. 102 injured persons have been admitted to various hospitals for treatment with 47 injured in North, 38 at STNM hospital Gangtok, 8 at Singtam and 10 in Chungthang, North Sikkim.
The Chief Minister has announced ex-gratia payment of Rs. 5 lakh per person for the kith and kin of the deceased, Rs. 50,000 for grievous injuries and Rs. 25,000 for minor injuries.

As relief for damages to houses, pucca house will be given Rs. 50,000, kutcha house Rs. 30,000,   partial damages to pucca house Rs. 25,000 and partial damage to kutcha house Rs. 15,000.
For loss of cattle and livestock the Chief Minister announced Rs. 10,000 for cattle such as cows and buffalos, Rs. 3000 for goats and Rs. Rs. 5,000 for pigs.
Around 1000 houses and buildings have collapsed and 1 lakh partially damaged.
Apart from this, all the major roads such as National Highway, state highway, district highways and rural roads have been damaged extensively. Along with the roads, concrete bridges, rural bridges have also been damaged.
The Secretariat building, Government Press building, Police Headquarters, hospital buildings, school buildings and government buildings in all four districts have also been extensively damaged.
Power Transmission lines and electric poles have also been uprooted severely effecting power supply.
Water supply to Gangtok has been disrupted and rural water supply in various districts have also been affected.
The Chief Minister has constituted a high level relief team that will visit all four districts and take immediate action on relief and restoration work.
The relief team for South Sikkim will be headed by KN Bhutia, Commissioner cum Secretary, Commerce and Industries,  North Sikkim by Nari Tshering Bhutia, PCCF cum Secretary, Forest Department, West by Topjor Bhutia, Commissioner cum Secretary, UDHD and East by BK Kharel, Commissioner cum Secretary, Land Revenue Department to oversee the relief operations.
The CM himself will be personally touring all four districts to dispense relief measures. He has also directed all MLAs and Panchayats to assist in the relief operation at the grass root level, which are being taken up on a war footing.
Lastly, the CM has extended his condolences to all the bereaved family members of those who lost their lives in the calamity and has also wished speedy recovery to the injured. In his message, the CM has assured the people of Sikkim that all measures and steps are being taken in a pro-active manner so as to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this unfortunate calamity. He has also made an appeal to all Sikkimese to stay resilient and calm in the face of this adversity.