Rehabilitation of Leh cloudburst victims -

Leh (Jammu and Kashmir): The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday said the focus should now shift to restoration of public services and rehabilitation of the Leh cloudburst victims, assuring that no efforts would be spared by the Central Government in this regard. "We will fund a special package amounting to a sum of around Rs 125 crore for the Ladkah region from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). This will cover the restoration of drinking water supply, renovation of the power supply system including DG sets, repairs to the SNM Hospital and replacement of the C.T. Scan machine, in Leh," said Dr Singh. "It will also cover the restoration of the water supply system and the supply of DG set(s) of appropriate capacity to Kargil. In addition, untied grant of Rs 5 crore each will be provided to the Leh & Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils under the Special PMNRF package, to meet emergent requirements," he added. Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives in Leh, the Prime Minister, who arrived in Leh on a day-long visit today, said congratulated the brave personnel of the Army, the Air Force, BRO, ITBP and the NDRF on their courage, tireless efforts and deep concern for their fellow citizens in distress. Dr. Singh also held a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and state officials to discuss relief and rehabilitation measures. He was accompanied by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Saifuddin Soz. 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 Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. The 434-kilometer vital Srinagar-Leh road damaged by the recent flash floods and landslides triggered by cloudbursts has been restored after days of hectic work done by the engineers and men of the Army, Border Roads Organisation and allied agencies. The total death toll rose to over 189, including 18 Nepali and Tibetan workers, three French, one Spanish and one Italian tourist. Around 500 people sustained injuries in the natural calamity. Five villages Sabu, Phyang, Nimoo, Choglumsar and Shapoo are worst hit by the sudden downpour and flash floods. Old Leh city is also among the worst affected. New Delhi: Close on the heels of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh's visit to Leh on Tuesday, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police today came forward to extend a monetary help of rupees 1.75 crore to flash flood affected people of Ladakh. With such a gesture, the ITBP today became the first security force in India to have contributed funds for the victims in Leh. The ITBP jawans and officers have contributed from their salaries for the cause. The donations have been deposited in proportion to individuals' salaries, said Director General, ITBP, R.K.Bhatia in the national capital today. Carrying Search and Rescue work at altitude of more than 11500ft in the cold desert and difficult climatic conditions of Leh is very difficult and dangerous.