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Cabinet secretary told to work out relief measures

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

The Union Cabinet meeting on Friday directed Cabinet Secretary T R Prasad, who heads the disaster management group, to chalk out emergency relief measures for Gujarat in the wake of the earthquake.

"The cabinet directed the disaster management team to send food and medical supply on an emergency basis to the affected areas. We have also directed them to ensure the restoration of power and communication in Gujarat," Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan told the media after the meeting, which was presided over by the prime minister.

Union Home Minister L K Advani and Union Textile Minister Kashiram Rana are already in Ahmedabad to monitor the situation.

Mahajan said Prime Minister A B Vajpayee will visit Gujarat in due course, but gave no specific dates.

"I would like to clarify that the earthquake registered 6.9 on the Richter Scale and not 7.9," Mahajan stated. "I request you all not to give misleading reports."

Meanwhile, an AN-32 aircraft has left Delhi at 1800 hrs for Bhuj carrying 30 specialist doctors. The chief secretary of Rajasthan and Maharashtra have been alerted to send medical aid to Gujarat.

The Gujarat government, according to Mahajan, has been provided 10,000 tonnes of food-grains and 10,000 tents as relief measure.

The Union Cabinet also expressed its deep sense of sorrow and grief at the heavy loss of lives and the magnitude of the destruction.

Asked what was the actual loss of life in the tragedy, he said, "Till this afternoon, the government has received information about 651 people being killed. However, the government is quite aware that the figure will be much more."

Meanwhile, in his condolence message to the bereaved families, Prime Minister Vajpayee said, "I am deeply pained and distressed to know about the devastating earthquake that rocked Gujarat, causing loss of several hundred lives and extensive damage to private and public property. "

"I join all my countrymen in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and express our solidarity with the suffering people," he added.

However, no monetary compensation has been announced so far.

The DMP, meanwhile, is consulting secretaries in other ministries to work out the logistics of the relief measure.

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EXTERNAL LINKS
The RD Killer Quake of Jan 26, 2001: Technical details
What we can do to assist earthquake victims in India
All about earthquakes in India and their impact
India Meteorological Department's earthquake reports
Disaster relief set-up in India
Major earthquakes across the world in recent times
Earthquake News: Web site offering comprehensive news, information and features
Earthquake site map

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