"Himachal govt’s priority is to rehabilitate the homeless," says CM Sukhu

Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 18 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday visited the disaster-hit areas of Paonta, Shillai and Nahan of Sirmaur district where thousands have been affected due to the rain triggered catastrophe.
The Chief Minister inspected all the places where major devastation has occurred due to the recent spell of cloudbursts, floods and landslides and interacted with the people besides listening to their problems. He also announced rupees one lakh each to the 22 affected families of Ambaun in Shillai, whose dwellings were severely damaged due to floods.
The Chief Minister met Vinod Kumar, a resident of Sirmauri Tal by visiting him in person and consoled him, as five members of his family were buried alive. He also provided a financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh to Vinod and his extended family.
Besides, Chief Minster also met the other 17 families of Sirmauri Tal who were rendered homeless and were sheltered in relief camps and interacted with each one of them. He directed the administration to provide financial assistance to all the homeless. The Chief Minister directed to construction of a bridge at Kachhi Dhank for a permanent solution of mud sliding on Paonta-Shillai Highway.
The estimated loss during the last 55 days, due to rain rage has been assessed as around Rs 10,000 crore yet it will take time to make up for the loss, said the Chief Minister, further assuring that adequate compensation would be given to the families whose crops and homes have been completely destroyed.
He said that financial aid will also be given to those families whose houses have been affected by silt. The government was committed to rehabilitating the affected people despite financial constraints from its available resources, he reiterated.
A policy would be formulated for permanent rehabilitation of the affected families adding that he well understands the agony of the people who have lost their homes and livestock. He said that an increased provision has been made by the government on the death of livestock.
He directed the officers to ensure transparency in the distribution of relief funds. 
The Chief Minister also visited Kandei Wala hit by the cloudburst causing significant damage to the houses and standing crops. The Chief Minister presented cheques of Rs 3.45 lakh each, to the next of kin of Imran and Bindro Devi, who died after being swept away in the flood.
Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan informed the Chief Minister that a total loss of Rs. 372 crore has been incurred in the Sirmaur district so far. As many as 21 people died and 22 people were injured in recent flash floods. He said that 40 houses were completely razed. He thanked the Chief Minister for generously providing assistance to the affected families. (ANI)