Thursday, March 30 2006 15:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today (Mar 30, 2006) approved an overall expenditure of Rs 242.95 crore for providing relief items to the quake-affected people in Jammu and Kashmir.

The amount, to be incurred by various ministries, would cover procurement of tents, construction materials for erection of temporary and intermediate shelters and other such activities, Parliamentary Affairs Minister PriyaranjanDasmunsi told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

He said the Cabinet also approved the expenditure incurred by paramilitary forces on providing relief items to the victims of the devastating earthquake in October last year.

J and K was the worst affected state in the quake which caused devastation in as many as 2760 villages in 12 districts. Of these villages, 149 were severely hit and 2611 partially affected.

The provision of relief items included among other things blankets, woollen garments, school uniforms, drinking water bottles, shelter material and cost of construction of shelter covers.

Dasmunsi said the Cabinet also approved the Centre's contribution of Rs 48.33 crore for the Khalsa Heritage Project to the Punjab government and release of the balance amount of Rs 46.33 crore. A sum of Rs two crore was released to the state government in 2004-05.

The complex, which would provide a fascinating insight into the Sikh faith and showcase its 500 year-old history, would be fully commissioned by next year.