Gangtok, Feb 5 (IPR): Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang distributed cheques to the affected families who suffered property and other damages during the devastating flash floods of 4th October 2023, here at Government Senior Secondary School, Singtam today.
A total of 798 cheques were handed over to the beneficiaries which included the recent fire incident victims, student scholarships, damaged compensation to the victims of Aap Dara and Zang village alongside the victims of the flash flood.
The Chief Minister in his address assured of constructing houses under Sikkim Punar Awas Yojana (SPAY) for the victims whose houses have been totally damaged or washed away by the flash floods. In addition he also reiterated that the compensation for the rent will be provided to the victims and assured of constructing Janta Housing Colony where no rent will be charged for three years.
The Chief Minister also stated support for recent fire victims near Lall Bajar Singtam. He assured of constructing houses under Sikkim Urban Garib Awas Yojana (SUGAY) to the affected individuals whose houses have been severely damaged by the fire.
The Chief Minister handed over cheque of Rs 50,000 (Rupees Fifty Thousand) each to 35 vendors whose shops were affected by the fire.
During the course of the programme, the Chief Minister distributed scholarship through Chief Minister Discretionary Grant to college and university students.
Mr Tushar Nikhare, DC Gangtok, in his address, thanked the Chief Minister for his prompt action in distributing relief materials to victims affected in the flash flood and the recent Singtam fire incident.
Earlier, a two-minute silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in the October flash flood.
On the sidelines of the relief distribution programme, the Chief Minister engaged with the students and faculty of Singtam Senior Secondary School, who had organised a surprise celebration to mark his birthday.
The programme had the presence of Madam Krishna Rai, Mr KN Lepcha, Minister, Education and Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Mr Sonam Lama, Minister RDD and Cooperation, Mr BS Panth, Minister of Tourism and IPR, Mr Bishnu Kumar Khatiwara, Minister Culture and Printing & Stationery, Mr Lok Nath Sharma, Minister, Agriculture Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Labour, Ms Raj Kumari Thapa, MLA Yangang, Mr Rohit Raj Gurung, Advisor to HCM, Mr Suresh Tamang, President Singtam Nagar Panchayat, Councillors, Dr SD Dhakal, Secretary CMO, Mr Anil Raj Rai, Relief Commissioner cum Secretary, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Mr Tushar Nikhare, District Collector Gangtok, ADCs, SDM Gangtok, MEO Singtam, DPO, CMO officials, and officers of line departments.
– Report from DIO Gangtok