Question : DAMAGE TO RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE DUE TO EARTHQUAKE IN GUJARAT

(a) whether the Government propose to make an on the spot assessment of destruction/damages suffered by the rural infrastructure in the recent earthquake affected areas of Gujarat;

(b) whether the Government have taken any steps to provide basic facilities to the earthquake victims in rural areas of the State;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government have decided to finalise certain plans with the help of Council for Advancement of People`s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) in this regard;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the manner in which the Union Government propose to assist the Gujarat in restoration of the rural infrastructure?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI M.VENKAIAH NAIDU)


(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.8 DUE FOR REPLY ON 20.2.2001.

The earthquake of 26th January 2001 has caused widespread damage to life and property in various parts of Gujarat. The Government of Gujarat have made a preliminary assessment of damage caused and the Government of India have released Rs.500.00 crore (on 30.1.2001) as ad-hoc assistance for providing immediate relief to the affected people.

2. The air, rail and road routes have been restored. Power supply has been fully restored in all the villages in Kachchh and other areas and the telephone exchanges have been made functional in Bhuj and Gandhidham. Satellite phones, Hotlines, HAM Radio and Mobile telephones have been pressed into service. Water supply arrangements have been made in all the affected villages and the availability of essential commodities ensured. Medical Relief Centres, including Hospitals and Primary Health Centres have been made operational in all the affected districts. To provide shelter to the affected and disabled people, tents have been provided in sufficient numbers.

3. The Council for Advancement of People`s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) has earmarked Rs.5 crore for taking up rehabilitation work in the earthquake-affected areas of Gujarat through voluntary organisations. The Regional Committee (RC) of CAPART is coordinating with the voluntary organizations to provide relief and rehabilitation to people in the affected rural areas.

4. The Union Minister of Rural Development, accompanied by senior officials visited the affected areas on 13th and 14th February, 2001. It has been decided to release additional funds of Rs. 100 crore, over and above the normal allocation under the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) to Gujarat to provide drinking water in the rural areas. It has been agreed, in principle, to provide assistance for one lakh houses for the earthquake-affected BPL families in the rural areas under the Indira Awaas Yojana, alongside an additional release of Rs.10 crore under the National Family Benefit Scheme.