Leh, Aug 16: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, along with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, pays a day-long visit here Tuesday to take stock of relief and rehabilitation undertaken in the aftermath of flash-floods and is likely to announce a Rs 250-crore package for the victims of the calamity.
The Prime Minister is likely to visit some of the hospitals where the injured in last week’s natural calamity have been admitted for treatment. United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will also accompany the Prime Minister during the visit. Singh will chair a meeting with senior officials regarding relief and rehabilitation measures already taken in the area. The Prime Minister had promised in his Independence Day address that every possible effort would be made to provide relief in the region affected by the calamity.
The Prime Minister had earlier announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund.
Meanwhile, reaching out to the victims of cloudburst, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised them all possible help and lauded the security forces for their massive relief and rehabilitation effort.
Rahul Gandhi, who arrived a day before Dr Singh’s scheduled visit here, took stock of the situation in the worst-affected Choglamsar where numerous houses were buried under the slush following the cloudburst on the night of August 5, 2010.
“The Prime Minister is coming tomorrow. Tell him about the shortcomings freely. Don’t be afraid,” the 40-year-old Congress leader told the victims who have taken shelter at a relief camp after they narrated to him their problems.
He said he will also convey their difficulties to the Prime Minister and will do everything possible to provide them all necessary help.
During the five-hour visit, Rahul Gandhi, who accompanied Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju, visited a military hospital at Leh, where he interacted with patients who had sustained injuries during the calamity.
Rahul Gandhi and the Minister, who reached here by a special aircraft at about 8.30 am, made an aerial survey of the affected areas of the district.

179 KILLED, 400 INJURED
From Delhi: The cloudburst in Leh has killed 179 persons including six foreigners and left another 400 injured, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.
In a statement, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the cloudburst had triggered flash floods in Leh and surrounding areas of Choglamsar, Pathar Sahib, Phyang, Hanoyogma and Nimu, and the Centre had asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to assess the damage.
“Since the tragedy occurred during the night there has been substantial loss of precious human lives. Damage to property and disruption of communication and services have also been widely reported. A full assessment is under way,” he informed the House.
“As per the Government of J&K’s latest assessment, 179 persons including six foreign nationals have lost their lives and approximately 400 persons have been injured and treated in various Army and other medical facilities,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST