PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
With the first anniversary of the Dharali disaster approaching near, the Uttarkashi district administration organised a multi-purpose camp and public hearing programme as part of the initiative to provide relief, rehabilitation and other facilities to the affected people. Chaired by the district magistrate Prashant Arya, the public hearing programme saw 21 complaints registered. Notably, a catastrophic flash flood and debris flow lashed Dharali on August 5 last year, triggered by a sudden surge from the Kheer Ganga (Kheerganga) tiver. The disaster destroyed local infrastructure, cut off the Gangotri pilgrimage route and resulted in dozens of casualties and missing persons.
At the camp, the villagers raised the issue of the restoration of the Kalpa Kedar Temple. The DM asked the villagers to prepare and submit a proposal, and directed the district tourism development officer to take necessary action upon receiving the proposal. The demand for the construction of a shelter for the Someshwar Temple was approved on the spot.
On a complaint regarding pending payment of insurance funds under the Jeevan Jyoti Yojana, Arya directed the sub-divisional magistrate to coordinate with Punjab National Bank and ensure prompt payment. Giving details about the progress of rehabilitation, the SDM said that while the survey of 21 families has been completed, the same for 66 families is in the final stage and for 25 families will be completed soon.
The villagers also demanded necessary entries be made in the land records to avail the benefits of the home-stay scheme. In response, the DM directed that eligible applications be processed on a priority basis. Regarding the demand for the construction of a panchayat building, the meeting was informed that the same had been approved and construction would begin soon. To improve the electricity system, UPCL was instructed to test areas with single-phase lines.
