Dehradun (Uttarakhand), July 5, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today assured full support of his government to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in this hour of distress and said “We are with the aggrieved and calamity stricken people of Uttarakhand, and will extend full help in their rehabilitation and in task of reconstruction of the hill state.”
Badal called on the Uttarakhand Chief Minister in his office here at Civil Secretariat.
Expressing deep concern over the havoc and devastation caused by flash floods which left a trail of unprecedented death and destruction in the valley behind, Badal said that the Punjabis were firm believers of the ethos of universal brotherhood, communal harmony, tolerance and peace as propagated by the Sikh Gurus, saints and seers, therefore the state government would make all out efforts by the grace of God in the execution of re-constructing Uttarakhand expeditiously. He said, “Punjabis are extremely keen to accomplish this robust task at the earliest in providing much needed succor and shelter to the victims of this disastrous calamity in the region.” Sharing the sense of grievous loss of the people of Uttrakhand due to the recent fury of floods across the state beyond anyone’s imagination, Badal said that the state government was committed to extending a helping hand to the people of Uttrakhand in this hour of crisis and despair.
Badal told the Uttarakhand CM that Punjab government would give Rs. 10 crore for the reconstruction of all the religious shrines including Sri Kedarnath Temple and Gurdwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib which had been badly ravaged during the recent floods.
Apart from this, Badal said that the state government would send a consignment of 10,000 tons of Wheat flour (Atta) and Rice, 100 tons of sugar besides 10,000 blankets on July 9 as a relief measure for the flood victims across the far flung areas of the hilly state.
On the personal request of Bahuguna, the Chief Minister agreed to send 10,000 woolens, sweaters and pullovers for the victims especially for the women and kids besides the delivery of dry milk powder in the region. The Chief Minister also conceded to the proposal of Bahuguna for supplying consignment of the Wheat flour and Rice in a phased manner as per the demand of the Uttarakhand Government.
Expressing complete solidarity with the Uttarakhand government and its people, Badal reiterated his commitment to bail out the hill state and help it in reconstruction of dwelling units in the worst flood hits villages as a benevolent gesture.
Bahuguna brought to Badal’s notice the severe damage done to ‘Sarai’ building at Gobind Ghat due to massive floods, Badal offered all support and assistance to the Uttarakhand government for the reconstruction of this seven storyed building at the earliest. He made a firm commitment on behalf of the people of Punjab to rebuild the hill state through every possible mean and measure.
Expressing gratitude to Badal, Vijay Bahuguna lauded the efforts being made by the Punjab government to help them in undertaking the herculean task of restoring normalcy in Uttarakhand after being ravaged by massive floods. The Uttrakhand Chief Minister said that the people of this hill state would never forget the help extended by Punjab during this odd hour. Complementing Punjab for having dual distinction of being country’s ‘sword arm’ and ‘food bowl’ has once again demonstrated the rare spirit of magnanimity and generosity by extending all help and support to the people of Uttarakhand in the difficult time, for which they would be ever indebted to them.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Secretary Food and Civil Supply DS Grewal, Secretary PWD PS Aujla and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Gurkirat Kirpal Singh. On the occasion the Principal Secretary of the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was also present.