|
The Home Minister, Shri Shivraj Patil has directed that immediate steps be taken to supply building material, tool kits and other items required for construction of temporary as well as permanent shelters in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The direction was given at a review meeting of senior officials of his Ministry here today. Outlining his vision for a new Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Home Minister said that all essential educational, health and other facilities should be provided on each island. There should be proper town planning under the guidance of top experts and provision should be made for school buildings, play-grounds, Panchayat Bhawans, co-operative societies, etc. in each village. There should be good roads with provision for expansion, as and when required. The designs of permanent houses should be finalized as soon as possible and construction begun. The effort should be to complete the construction by May this year. The Home Minister said that no financial constraint would be allowed to come in the way of reconstruction and rehabilitation work.
Shri Patil was informed that 200 crore rupees has already been placed at the disposal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands administration. Manufacturers are being contacted for providing buildings material of required specification. A Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry has been sent to the Islands to assess the rehabilitation and reconstruction needs. The Home Secretary is also reaching the Islands on Sunday. CPWD has assessed that about 12,000 houses would be required to be constructed in Nicobar. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands administration has projected a demand for the building material which is being dispatched.
The Home Minister desired that schools in the Islands be opened as early as possible. If necessary, these can start in temporary shelters. This will help children get out of the trauma and return to normalcy.
The Home Minister also enquired about the availability of food, drinking water, clothes, medicines, power, etc. in the Islands and other Tsunami-hit areas of the country.
Among others, the Home Secretary, Shri Dhirendra Singh and the Secretary (Border Management), Shri A.K.Rastogi attended the review meeting.
OK/PM
|
