Centre to give Rs 50 crore grant to quake-hit Sikkim

Gangtok, Sep 22 (ANI): After assessing ongoing rescue and relief efforts in quake-hit Sikkim, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Thursday said the Centre would give Rs 50 crore immediately as grant for relief and rehabilitation work.

Talking to reporters here, Chidambaram said: "The Centre will immediately release Rs 50 crore as grant for the relief and rehabilitation work in Sikkim.

"We have reviewed immediate work set up. Government will support people in every possible ways. Every effort will be made so that they stand on their feet," he said

"Our prime motive is providing relief to 5000-6000 persons in camps. Nine villages, which could not be accessed, will be accessed by today or tomorrow," he added.

He further said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit Sikkim once he comes back from Washington.

Chidambaram later made an aerial survey of the worst-affected north Sikkim areas.

Earlier, addressing mediapersons, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling conceded that property worth rupees one trillion had been destroyed by the devastating earthquake.

"The earthquake has caused massive damage to life and property in Sikkim. I feel property worth rupees one trillion has been destroyed in the earthquake. At least 68 people have been killed in Sikkim, while more than 300 persons have been injured. The injured are presently undergoing medical treatment in state hospitals," he added.

Chamling further said the state government would provide ex-gratia monetary aid to the bereaved families and injured victims to compensate for their losses.

"We have decided to grant rupees five hundred thousand as ex-gratia compensation to the families of those killed the calamity. We will also give rupees 50000 to the injured victims as compensation," added Chamling.

A powerful earthquake with a 6.8 magnitude hit Sikkim and several areas in the eastern part of the country and neighbouring Nepal on the evening of September 18.

The epicentre of the quake was located in the Mangan and Sakyong areas, over 50 kilometres from Gangtok on the Sikkim-Nepal border.

Tremors were also felt in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chandigarh and Delhi. (ANI)