New Delhi: The Uttarakhand Cabinet on Wednesday approved a policy for compensation and permanent rehabilitation for people affected in land subsidence in Joshimath, news agency PTI reported.
According to the report, the Cabinet approved a one-time financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the people who were running shops or businesses in rented accommodations rendered unsafe by the disaster.
The cabinet also approved the State Millet Mission, to facilitate distribution of one kilogram of millet to each affected family through the Public Distribution System under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana and serving of Jhangora and Manduwa (a type of millet) in mid-day meal at schools.
The approval was given at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Secretary SS Sandhu said.
During the meeting, a total of 52 decisions were taken, including approval to a strict anti-copying law brought through ordinance, increasing the retirement age for Ayurvedic college principals to 65 years, and appointment of 285 special teachers for children with special needs.
Speaking about the policy for compensation and rehabilitation of the affected people, Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Kumar Sinha said the rate of compensation for uninhabitable residential and commercial buildings has been decided. However, the rate of compensation for residential buildings will be calculated after ascertaining the cost of a particular house.
The final cost of the house will be ascertained after subtracting depreciation amount of the affected house from the total and paid as compensation to the affected families, Sinha added.
Another option offered by the state government is that an affected person can take the compensation amount for the damaged house as well as a piece of land up to 75 square metres.
The third option is to demand a ready-made house in return for their affected house and land, Sinha said. In that case, the state government will offer them houses built over an area of 50 square metres and give them an additional 25 square metres for a cowshed or other purposes.
He further said that five damage slabs have been created for giving compensation to commercial establishments. Compensation to affected people in this category will be decided on basis of damage slabs.
Owners of damaged commercial establishments can claim compensation at a fixed rate or can claim compensation for their land when the technical study report is submitted and rate is decided.