The Council of Ministers were well aware of the financial package that Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha announced in the assembly, maintained an official communiqué on Wednesday. The departmental secretaries made a presentation before the cabinet on August 30. It was after that the package was announced in the assembly by the Chief Minister.
The press statement from the Relief, Rehabilitation & Disaster Management Department came in the wake of Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman’s allegations that Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha bypassed the council of ministers and announced the Rs 564 crore for immediate relief and restoration package for the flood victim. It said, the decision of the package was taken following the reports and requests from the departmental secretaries.
The communiqué said, Chief Minister announced in Assembly about a financial package of Rs.564 crores for taking up immediate relief and restoration activities by various departments following a meeting with him on August 27.
“The departments had requested for release of some funds for immediate relief and restoration activities. Subsequently, Departmental Secretaries while making a presentation before the Cabinet on August 30, requested for providing immediate financial resources for taking restoration activities”,
“Accordingly, as per the request of the each department, the financial package was formulated in consultation with respective departments. The Finance Department was also consulted and after getting their consent, the financial package was finalized”.
In the meantime, on Wednesday
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha held a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat to assess the progress of relief and restoration activities in the aftermath of the devastating floods that ravaged the state. The meeting was attended by key government officials, including the Chief Secretary, the PCCF, Tripura, Secretary, DMs , and Secretaries and Directors of various Departments.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the exemplary work carried out by officials from all departments and District Collectors in providing immediate relief and rescue measures. He emphasized that the successful response to the crisis was made possible by the entire administration working as a united “Team Tripura.”
To ensure a speedy and effective recovery, the Chief Minister directed officials to continue restoration work with the same vigor, energy, and speed demonstrated during the relief and rescue operations. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining quality food, health, and hygiene in the relief camps until all affected residents can return to their homes.
During the meeting, no department expressed any shortage of funds for restoration works, indicating adequate financial resources are available. The Chief Minister issued several key directions, including:
- Ensuring quality food, health, and hygiene in relief camps: The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of providing a safe and healthy environment for those residing in relief camps until they can return to their homes.
- Expediting ex-gratia payments: The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that ex-gratia payments are made to the remaining families of victims within the week.
- Speeding up compensation for damaged houses: The Chief Minister called for a swift process to provide compensation to those whose houses were damaged in the floods.
- Finalizing the Memorandum for final damage assessment: The Chief Minister instructed officials to complete the Memorandum for final damage assessment within the week and submit it to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
- Devising medium and long-term action plans: The Chief Minister emphasized the need for comprehensive plans to address the long-term impacts of the floods and ensure a sustainable recovery.
