Thursday, October 27 2005 15:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: The state has distributed a sum of Rs 10.8 lakh among quake-affected families in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Transport, Raman Bhalla, said.

This amount was given to the affected families, whose houses were completely destroyed in the October 8 earthquake, through 27 cheques in the border district, Bhalla said at a meeting of officers to review relief and rehabilitation measures at Poonch yesterday (Oct 26, 2005).

Besides, the government has also distributed 1426 quintals of rice, 937 quintals of atta and 961 quintals of wheat to the quake-ravaged people.

Appreciating the efforts of the administration, the minister directed the revenue functionaries to speedily assess damage in quake-hit areas so that the relief and rehabilitation payments can be made to the people expeditiously.

The State Government has also distributed relief amounting to Rs 4.5 crore among people in one of the worst ravaged Karnah tehsil in Kupwara district, covering 14 villages.

Cheques of Rs 40,000 each were being given to the affected families as the first installment so that they can start construction work before the onset of winter, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara said yesterday.