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Sikkim's Chief Minister, PS Tamang, made a significant announcement on Monday, revealing two housing schemes to provide relief to those who lost their homes during the devastating flash flood in the northern region of the Himalayan state. The flash flood, which was triggered by a cloudburst on October 4, resulted in a tragic loss of life, with at least 38 people confirmed dead, 76 individuals still missing, and an astonishing 88,000 people affected by the calamity.
In response to this dire situation, Chief Minister Tamang unveiled the "Punarwas Awas Yojna" (Rehabilitation Housing Scheme) and the "Janta Housing Colony" scheme, both of which were slated for approval by the Cabinet the following day and were cleared for immediate implementation. These initiatives aim to provide shelter and support to the affected communities.
The Rehabilitation Housing Scheme is a multifaceted approach to addressing the housing crisis. The state government will not only allocate land but also construct houses for those in need. Additionally, for individuals who own plots but have lost their homes, the government will assist in the construction of new houses. This scheme has ambitious goals, with a plan to build 2011 houses for the beneficiaries, although the search for suitable land for the implementation of the program is still ongoing.
Recognizing the challenges faced by those who lost their rented accommodations in the flood, the government has allocated financial assistance in the form of a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 for the next three months. This will provide some relief to individuals who were forced to live far from their original residences.
The Janta Housing Colony scheme, on the other hand, is designed for those who do not have their own homes. The government is committed to constructing a Housing Colony to accommodate this demographic. A unique feature of this scheme is that the affected persons who relocate to the Janta Housing Colony will not be required to pay rent to the government for the next three years. This aims to ease the burden of those who lost their homes and have been struggling to secure affordable housing.
In addition to the housing support, the government is also extending a helping hand to those who lost their belongings and important documents in the flood. The government has promised to provide individuals with kitchen appliances and essential bedroom and bathroom supplies, ensuring that basic living necessities are met. Another significant step in the recovery process is the directive from the Chief Minister to provide replacement documents free of charge to those who lost their important paperwork during the flood.
Recognizing the economic impact of the disaster, the Chief Minister has taken several measures to alleviate the financial strain on businesses and individuals. For those who lost their businesses due to the flood, the government is offering interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for a period of 24 months. Additionally, existing business loans will be restructured with 0% interest, offering much-needed financial respite.
Moreover, in a bid to provide further financial relief to the affected communities, the Chief Secretary, who also chairs the State Level Bankers Committee, has been instructed to grant a 12-month extension and relaxation for the repayment of all loans. This step is expected to provide considerable breathing room to individuals and businesses grappling with financial pressures in the aftermath of the flood.
The flash flood, as assessed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), was a result of a combination of excess rainfall and a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event at South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim. The catastrophic consequences of this natural disaster have necessitated swift and comprehensive action, and the government's response, through these housing and financial relief schemes, aims to provide much-needed support to the affected individuals and communities as they rebuild their lives.
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