Gujarat submits Rs 20,000 cr plan

Gujarat submits Rs 20,000 cr plan
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, Feb 15: The Gujarat government today submitted to the Centre a Rs 20,000 crore rehabilitation and reconstruction plan for quake victims while it has already been given a Rs 950 crore Central assistance.

The first phase of the programme demands an assistance of Rs 8,500 crore -- Rs 4,500 crore for private buildings and Rs 4,000 crore for reconstruction of government buildings damaged in the quake.

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Talking to reporters, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel said that the total loss of properties was estimated at around Rs 20,000 crore and the Centre had promised full assistance. Patel will return to the Capital on February 18 to attend a meeting of National Disaster Management Group (NDMG).

The Chief Minister hopes to generate necessary funds from World Bank, Asian Development Bank, national and international voluntary agencies, banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, industrial houses, foreign countries, besides Prime Minister's relief fund and Chief Minister's relief fund.

People's contribution to PM's Relief Fund had already crossed the Rs 100 crore mark and is expected to touch Rs 200 crore. Similarly, CM's Relief Fund too had collected Rs 30 crore and is expected to get another 30 crore, said P.K. Lahiri, principal secretary to Chief Minister.

Home Minister L.K. Advani, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, IT Minister Pramod Mahajan and vice-chairman of NDMG Sharad Pawar were also present during the Chief Minister's meeting with Vajpayee.

Patel refuted allegations of a delayed reaction of the state government saying, the state machinery was put in action immediately after the quake and the Army too began rescue operations at Bhuj, Ahmedabad and other areas within six hours.

On taking action against builders, he said so far six builders have been arrested and 59 FIRs lodged while investigation is going on against several others. ``We will not spare any builder who is responsible for poor construction of buildings,'' he said. Patel added that the government was waiting for laboratory test reports of the debris before initiating action against other builders.

Denying that there had been discrimination in providing relief to certain sections of the community, Patel said: ``These charges are politically motivated,'' admitting that there could have been delay in relief reaching some places.

The Chief Minister said that in 229 villages where over 70 per cent houses had collapsed, new settlements will be made. There were 1.8 lakh houses which had suffered less than 70 per cent damage.

Meanwhile, the BJP leadership ruled out any change in leadership in thequake-ravaged Gujarat.