category Regional, shimla, , tags Regional, shimla, , DW BUREAU Shimla Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today distributed a compensation of Rs 8.97 crore to 1162 families affected by the disaster caused by recent heavy rains and landslides in Bilaspur district under the Punrvaas Scheme. He provided Rs 3 lakh each as the first installment to 94 affected families whose houses were completely damaged during the disaster in the district Bilaspur. The Chief Minister gave Rs 3.93 crore to 404 families under Bilaspur Sadar development block, Rs 4.55 crore to 532 disaster-affected families under Ghumarwin, Rs 1.21 crore to 198 affected families under Jhanduta and Rs 19.10 lakh to 28 affected families under Swarghat development block. Distribution of relief funds has been started within three months of the disaster, which shows the commitment of the state government towards the welfare of the affected , said the Chief Minister and added that during the discussions on special relief package, he instructed the officials that it was the responsibility of the state government to rehabilitate all the 16 thousand families. To achieve the same, the state government has brought a special package of Rs 4500 crore, under which the compensation given in case of complete damage to the house has been increased from rupees one lakh 30 thousand to Rs 7 lakh. Along with this, electricity and water connections were being provided free of cost and cement for the construction of houses would be made available at the rate of Rs 280 per bag, he added. The state government was mulling to provide free TD to the disaster-affected families, said Sh. Sukhu. The Chief Minister said that when the present state government assumed office 11 months ago, the government treasury was almost empty. The debt burden was of Rs 75 thousand crore and the liabilities of government employees worth Rs 10 thousand crore. Due to the economic mismanagement of the previous BJP government, Himachal was facing a serious economic crisis today. To make people aware of the real economic status, a white paper was brought in the state Assembly by the government, reiterated Sh. Sukhu. Today every Himachali citizen has a loan of more than one lakh rupees, but the present state government was making strong efforts to bring the economy of the state back on track, he remarked. (editor dailyworld.in)