Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi conducted back-to-back visits to Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on September 9 to review flood-related damage from heavy rains.
In Punjab, the Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of the parts hit by floods. During an official review meeting in Gurdaspur with officials and elected representatives, he reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assessed the damage that had occurred in the state.
PM Modi announced financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab in addition to the Rs 12,000 crore already in the state’s possession. There will be an advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
The Prime Minister met members of families affected by floods and landslides. He offered his condolences to the next of kin who have lost their near and dear ones in the calamity, and announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh each to families of deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured. Orphaned children will receive longterm support through the PM CARES for Children scheme.
Earlier, he made an aerial survey of the flood and landslide-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh. He also held an official meeting in Kangra to review the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assess overall damage.
A Rs. 1,500 crore relief package was announced for the hill state, along with advance release of the second instalments under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi.
Across both states, reconstruction of homes will be undertaken under PM Awas Yojana, with geotagging of damaged houses, while restoration of national highways, rural roads, and government schools will be done through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
