The cabinet has decided to waive the water and electricity bills of the disaster affected families for the next six months. Along with this, instructions have been given to postpone the recovery of loans taken from banks for one year.
Those living in relief camps have been given the option that if they do not eat there, they will be given Rs 450 per day.
The government threw full force into the relief work:
The government has also taken care of the animals of the affected people and has made provision of funds for this. Where to keep the animals, the Agriculture Department will soon select the land for this.
It was also decided that in view of the relief package for the rehabilitation of the disaster affected, a proposal would be sent to the Central Government within a week. The cabinet has authorized the Chief Minister to take quick decisions on various proposals related to the disaster.
In the wake of landslides and cracks in houses and land in Joshimath city, the government has thrown full force in the relief work. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the relief work in Joshimath on Wednesday and Thursday. With a view to deal with the problem, meetings were held on a war footing with the scientists of all the organizations involved in the investigation work, as well as with the officers of the Army and ITBP and the local residents.
He assured the disaster affected people that the government stands with them in this hour of crisis. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dhami at the Secretariat on Friday was particularly focused on the steps to be taken to deal with the Joshimath disaster.
The cabinet approved a proposal of Rs 45 crore for interim assistance to be given as advance to disaster-affected building owners and persons before the permanent occupation-displacement policy is prepared. This amount is being distributed to the affected.
The affected will decide whether they want the building or the money:
Informing about the decisions of the cabinet, Chief Secretary Dr. SS Sandhu said that Koti Farm, Pipalkoti, Gochar, Gokhselang and Dhak villages near Joshimath have been selected for the rehabilitation of disaster affected people.
The Geological Survey of India is conducting Geophysical Survey there. After receiving its report, the cabinet gave in-principle approval for construction of pre-fabricated houses for short-term rehabilitation of the affected. CBRI will make a model sample of such houses. The cabinet directed that after conducting a survey among the affected, a decision will be taken to give them the amount in the form of building or package.
The Chief Minister has authorized the decision on the increase in rent:
The cabinet approved the proposal to increase the amount given to the disaster victims of Joshimath living on rent at the rate of Rs. 4,000 per month to Rs. 5,000. It was said that if there is a need for further increase in this amount on the basis of DM Chamoli’s report, then the Chief Minister will be authorized to take a decision for it.
Rs 450 per day for food:
The cabinet gave its nod to the proposal of Rs 950 per room per day and Rs 450 for food per person per day as per the norms of SDRF to accommodate the disaster affected people in the relief camps.
It was decided that if a person is not willing to take food in the relief camp, he will be given an amount of Rs 450 per day. Apart from this, an amount of Rs.80 will be given for the fodder of large animals and Rs.45 per day for the fodder of small animals. The Agriculture Department will soon select the land for where these animals will be kept.
Irrigation Department or WEPCOS, Chief Minister will decide:
In Joshimath, discussions were also held regarding works related to geological survey, drainage. It was informed that WEPCOS organization has been shortlisted from the level of Irrigation Department to get the work related to river erosion in Joshimath done in EPC mode. It was decided that the Irrigation Department and WEPCOS, whoever prepares the DPR first, can start the work, but the Chief Minister will be authorized to take a decision in this regard.
Proposal will be sent to the center for relief package in a week
The government decided that a proposal for a relief package for the rehabilitation of Joshimath disaster victims would be sent to the central government within a week. Before this, the damage caused to the buildings will be assessed through the district level committee.
Until the funds are received from the Center as a relief package, the government will spend funds from its own resources for short-term and medium-term works. Later it will be adjusted in the relief package.
Relief amount at the rate of MNREGA for the first time:
The cabinet also took an important decision that two adult members of the disaster-affected families whose means of livelihood have been snatched, will be given relief amount as per the rate of wages fixed in MNREGA. Such a decision has been taken for the first time. This arrangement will be for such families living in relief camps.
