PM Singh holds review meeting with Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling in Gangtok

Gangtok: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced Rs 1000 crore as relief funds for quake-hit Sikkim. The PM also said accommodation will be provided to those rendered homeless.

The Centre will also provide assistance for earthquake proof buildings in the state. Reconstruction of rural roads, school buildings and public buildings will also be funded by the Centre.

Dr Singh is on a daylong visit in Sikkim today to assess and review the damage caused by the September 18 earthquake. The 6.8-magnitude tremor killed close to 80 people and left about 350 injured in the state.

"On arrival in Gangtok after making the aerial survey, the prime minister visited the injured at the Sikkim Manipal Hospital," a government spokesperson said.

Dr Singh will also hold a review meeting with Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling in Gangtok. Earlier, he arrived in Bagdogra from New Delhi before boarding an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter for the aerial survey.

(With agency inputs)

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announce Rs.1000 crore rebuild Sikkim

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in Sikkim today to review the relief operations in the quake ravaged hill state.

During his one day visit Prime Minister reviewed the situation with the senior government officials.

He visited the STNM hospital in the state capital to meet people injured in the earthquake.PM announced a relief package of Rs.1000 crore with special emphasis to rebuild schools and monasteries ,besides providing earthquake proof housing to people of Sikkim.

A State Government spokesman said in Gangtok that the PM also schedule to undertake for an aerial view of the quake affected areas in North Sikkim.

The earth quake which measured 6.8 on Richter scale, killed 78 people and caused extensive damage in the state.

Far flung areas of the State still remain inaccessible as the roads have been damaged due to quake.

Meanwhile, Army helicopters have resumed sorties to the inaccessible parts of Chungthang, Lachen and Lachung in quake ravaged areas to drop relief material.

The army choppers airdropped 9,408 kg of relief to the region.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Sikkim on September 29

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit the earthquake-hit areas of Sikkim on September 29. West Bengal Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh told reporters Dr. Singh would reach Gangtok via Bagdogra in north Bengal from Delhi.

Home Department Officials said the Prime Minister's detailed programme had not been received yet.

Over 100 people lost their lives in the September 18 earthquake

PM Manmohan Singh cancels visit to Sikkim

GANGTOK: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposed visit to Sikkim on July 27 has been cancelled owing to unavoidable circumstances, official sources said.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to visit the Sikkim to assess situation arising after Sikkim Earthquake in state.The state had been hit by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake on September 18 causing extensive damage in the state.

The state government received an official communication from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) about the cancellation of the visit as informed to media by IPR Secretary Topgay.

As rescue and relief operations continued in the incessant rain the official death toll hit the 77 mark. Bad weather and torrential rain hampered search and rescue operations in the quake-affected areas. The injured are being treated in various government facilities and also referred to hospitals outside the state.

As per the data provided by IPR, 102 relief camps are operational in the quake affected areas of the state. The Sikkim government employees have decided to contribute a day’s salary for relief.