*Deputy Commissioner held a meeting with all SDMs through VC, took stock of the damage *
Deputy Commissioner Shimla Anupam Kashyap reviewed the heavy rainfall last night and the damage caused during the entire rainy season with all the sub-divisional magistrates of the district through video conference today. In the meeting, he gave instructions to ensure immediate relief and restoration work in the affected areas.
On this occasion, Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shimla Divyanshu Singal, Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Jyoti Rana along with officers of Public Works Department, Jal Shakti Department and Electricity Board were also present.
The Deputy Commissioner said that all the departments should work in mutual coordination so that the affected people can be provided relief immediately.
He directed that roads, water supply and electricity services affected by rain should be restored on priority basis. Relief material and necessary assistance should be made available to the affected families immediately. He also said that every person of the district is important for us, so all sub-divisional magistrates should visit the affected areas and assess the real situation and provide immediate relief to the people.
* Give priority to restoration of roads in view of apple season *
The Deputy Commissioner said that in view of the apple season, priority should be given to the restoration of roads so that the gardeners can transport their produce to the markets on time. He instructed all the officers to release the ex-gratia amount to the affected families within 10 days so that they can get the benefits on time.
He said that the damage report of roads should be prepared in proper format. According to the rules, there is a provision of Rs. 75 thousand per kilometer for the repair of rural roads and Rs. 1 lakh 20 thousand per kilometer for the repair of national highways. In view of the rains, sufficient tarpaulins have been made available in all the sub-divisions, however, if there is additional requirement, the sub-divisional magistrate can purchase it at his own level.
* Relocate children from unsafe schools to safer places*
The Deputy Commissioner directed all the sub-divisional magistrates of the district to transfer children from unsafe schools under their area to safe places. He said that children are our first priority and it is our responsibility to ensure their safety.
He informed that at present all the national highways of Shimla district are open. Out of 669 connecting roads of the Public Works Department, 51 roads are still closed. At the same time, 6 distribution transformers of the Electricity Board are disrupted and 41 drinking water schemes of the Jal Shakti Department have been affected. The Deputy Commissioner said that adequate machinery and workers have been deployed for the restoration of all roads and projects.
