PM forms panel for rehabilitation

The three permanent invitees are Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna,Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Vice-Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority M Shashidhar Reddy.

The PM has announced a relief package of Rs 2,000 crore for the flood-hit state. 1,603 villages have been affected by the flood with over 4,500 people still said to be missing. Our priority first was to evacuate the pilgrims,but now the entire focus has shifted to rehabilitation of villages. There are many villages that are still cut-off from the world,as there are no roads and connectivity. We are making provisions to stock up ration at several locations for at least three months,as we do not know when the roads will be fully operational, a senior official involved in rescue operations said.