Uttarakhand has recently witnessed an unprecedented natural calamity that has caused colossal damage to both life and infrastructure in the State.

"The State Government has been advised to assess the destroyed and damaged tourist amenities and conveniences and come back with the requirement of funds for rebuilding the infrastructure. On examination of the demand, Ministry of Tourism will sanction funds," said the ministry. 

"The funds sanctioned in the relief package will be utilised for restoration and reconstruction of tourist infrastructure across the State with a special focus on tourist facilities along yatra route which will be used for providing shelter to the disaster hit pilgrims and tourists," it said. 

Through a series of meetings held with the representatives of the hotel industry, tour operartor’s, travel agents and all other stakeholders in the travel and tourism trade since last week the Union Tourism Minister is coordinating the travel trades donations to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the reconstruction and rejuvenation of the tourism industry in Uttarakhand. 

 

"The various tourism associations have instructed their members all over India to donate generously to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and total collection is being tabulated. It may be recalled that Shri Chiranjeevi had earlier donated Rs.one crore from his MPLADS funds for Uttarakhand," said the ministry. 

Meanwhile, Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers and Statistics & Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena has given his consent for release of Rs 10 lakh from his MPLADS funds for the rehabilitation works in the flash floods/landslides and cloudburst affected areas of Uttarakhand. This was stated in a statement here on Wednesday. 

The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation has said that the Members of Parliament can recommend works up to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh for the flash floods/landslides and cloudburst affected areas of Uttarakhand.

 

 In a letter written to all Members of Parliament, Jena said, “Flash floods/landslides and cloudburst have caused severe destruction in Uttarakhand. Considering its intensity and magnitude, Ministry of Home Affairs has informed that this is a ‘calamity of severe nature’ for all practical purposes. Accordingly, as per para 2.8 of Guidelines on MPLADS, Hon’ble MPs can recommend works up to a maximum of Rs. 50 Lakh for the affected areas of Uttarakhand.” 

The Minister has urged all the Members of Parliament to indicate the amount they wish to contribute for such works at the earliest.