Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Sikkim seeks Rs. 2,811 crore under NCCF for repairs and rehabilitation

GANGTOK, 24 Oct: Finally, and at long last, and after much confusion, the actual repair estimates [for immediate restoration and rehabilitation] for the damage suffered in 18 September Earthquake for the State have been ascertained and this figure is just under Rs. 3,000 crore. The estimate for immediate, short term repairs and rehabilitation is Rs. 2,811.99 crore.
This figure has been complied in a Memorandum prepared by the State government and put up to the central government a few days ago, includes the  immediate and short-term restoration and rehabilitation works being undertaken by the line departments and their respective estimates for such works.
The government has taken a while to assess and compute the funds required for the immediate and short term restoration and rehabilitation process and while earlier it had been reported to be around Rs. 3,400 to Rs 3,500 crore, a Supplementary Memorandum submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, particularly to the head of the Inter Ministerial Team assessing the damages, Shambhu Singh, pegs the amount at Rs. 2,811.99 crore. This is the amount sought by the State government as supplementary assistance from the National Calamity Contingency Fund [NCCF].
The memorandum also includes a comprehensive account of the damages and assistance sought by each of the affected departments from the Centre.
The first memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister on 29 September had been prepared based on an initial assessment conducted by the State government officials. However, this initial assessment was not comprehensive and a clear picture of the extent of damages could not be ascertained as at that time several affected areas were inaccessible. This necessitated the preparation of a supplementary memorandum for the above mentioned amount required for relief work and immediate repair and restoration of physical and social infrastructure. This amount, the State has requested the Centre to release from the NCCF.
The Supplementary Memorandum, officials inform, is not a comprehensive estimate of the total damage incurred by Sikkim in the earthquake, but an estimate of the funds required for immediate or short term measures of repair and rehabilitation.
Officials had earlier informed that the complete picture of the estimated damage suffered by the State will be included in the long term rebuilding plans of the State government, funds for which will be sought as part of the annual plan budget of the State. These are those works which take a longer time for implementation and are usually done in phases. It is informed that the estimates and proposals for the long term rebuilding and repair works will be submitted to the Planning Commission; subsequently the Planning Commission will release the funds as part of the annual state plan. All departments have been directed to put up their long term rebuilding proposals to the state government by 30 October.

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