PM urges Chamling to lead restoration that makes Sikkim a Model State in Earthquake Mitigation

SIKKIM NOT ALONE IN THIS HOUR OF CRISIS, PM REASSURES, ANNOUNCES RS. 1,000 CRORE INTERIM RELIEF FUND
GANGTOK, 29 Sept: Assuring Sikkim that it was not alone in this hour of crisis, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who made a quick tour of the earthquake affected areas today, announced an interim relief fund of Rs. 1,000 crore for immediate restoration of infrastructure and relief works. The fund, it is informed is exclusively for repairs and restoration of infrastructure and not for ex-gratia distribution.
In his brief statement, the PM added that all possible help will be extended in rebuilding the lives of the people of Sikkim, an IPR press release informs.
Reassuring Sikkim that all assistance will be extended to its rebuilding efforts, the PM urged Chief Minister Pawan Chamling to oversee the post-earthquake rehabilitation and resurgence in a way that Sikkim emerges as a “model state in earthquake mitigation” and shows the way for other earthquake-prone States.
The Prime Minister, upon his arrival in Sikkim made an aerial recce of North Sikkim and other parts of the State and also called on the earthquake injured undergoing treatment at the Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital here.
After this, a meeting was convened at the Katoch Hall in the Libing Cantonment with the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, the State Government officials, representatives of the Army, NDRF and other armed forces.
The Chief Secretary made a 30-minute Power-Point presentation on the destruction and damages caused by the earthquake after which the Chief Minister presented a “Memorandum of Relief under National Calamity” to the Prime Minister, the release adds. The preliminary assessment of losses suffered by Sikkim post the figure at around Rs. 7,000 crore, it is informed.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted that relief and rehabilitation of quake victims should receive utmost importance. He also assured that an expert team on Earthquake Resistant Technology would be sent by the Central Government to assist Sikkim in rebuilding its infrastructure.
Restoration and expansion of road network should be of highest priority, he said.
North Sikkim Highway leading to Chungthang should be opened by the BRO by 15 October, he directed, while adding that the roads above Chungthang should also to be repaired at the earliest. Special dispensation will be made available for road construction.
The Prime Minister stated that repairs at schools, drinking water supply, flood control works, minor irrigation channels etc., restoration of national monuments and religious institutions will also get priority. Other demands will also be considered favourably by the Government of India, he assured
He also advised the State Government to learn from the experience and insist on proper building technology and building bye laws so that it is better prepared for future earthquakes.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister complimented the Chief Minister for being “a great Nationalist and for heading the best State Government”, the release adds.
In reply, the Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister and assured him that he would always strive to live up to the expectations and urged the PM to pass directions that the army helicopters pressed into service for earthquake relief operations be stationed here till the roads were repaired properly.
On his departure the Prime Minister appreciated the work done by the State Government, the Army, ITBP, NDRF, BRO and all voluntary organizations.