SHIMLA: In response to the devastating rains and floods that caused damages worth Rs 12000 Crore in Himachal Pradesh,  Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced Saturday  Rs. 4500 crore relief package to rebuild Himachal. 

This package aims to help families affected by the disaster and kickstart the recovery process in the region, he said.

He announced this package at the press conference in the presence of ministers and to officials. 

Where the Money is Going:
- A significant portion, Rs. 750 crore, is set aside for restoring and rehabilitating the affected areas.
- Another Rs. 1000 crore is allocated for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), which provides employment opportunities in rural areas.

More Compensation for Victims:
- Families with completely damaged houses will now receive Rs. 7 lakh, a significant increase from the previous Rs. 1.30 lakh.
- For partially damaged 'kutcha' houses, compensation has been raised from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 1 lakh.
- 'Pucca' house owners with partial damage will now get Rs. 1 lakh, up from Rs. 6,500.
- Shops and dhabas suffering damage will receive Rs. 1 lakh, up from Rs. 25,000.
- Cowshed owners will get Rs. 50,000 instead of the previous Rs. 3,000 for damages.
- Tenants facing losses will now receive Rs. 50,000 instead of Rs. 2,500.

Support for Agriculture and Horticulture:
- Farmers and horticulturists will receive Rs. 10,000 per bigha for land damage, a boost from Rs. 3,615.
- Crop loss compensation has risen from Rs. 500 to Rs. 4,000 per bigha.
- The cost of removing silt from land has increased from Rs. 1,384.61 to Rs. 5,000.

Housing and Rehabilitation:
- Families with completely destroyed homes will be granted land in urban and rural areas for reconstruction.
- There will be no income limit for relief distribution.
- Landless, long-term residents wishing to stay in Himachal will also be given land.
- Sanitation workers and migrant laborers with wrecked homes in municipal areas will receive assistance.
- The government will cover the costs of electricity and water connections for homes under construction.
- Cement will be provided at government rates for rebuilding.

Support for Education:
- Additional classes will be organized to help students make up for lost study time due to school closures during the disaster.

Financial Aid and Relief:
- A substantial Rs. 750 crore has already been released to districts through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
- Rs. 829 crore is earmarked for reconstruction and restoration projects.
- An additional Rs. 671 crore will soon be released to speed up these efforts.

Help for Affected Families:
- Families in relief camps can shift to rented accommodations, with the government providing rent assistance.
- Essential provisions, including LPG cylinders, flour, rice, pulses, sugar, and oil, will be given free of cost until March 31, 2024.

Local Development Fund Utilization:
- The MLA Area Development Fund will support the construction of retaining walls and drain channelization for affected houses.

MNREGA Assistance:
- Properties damaged in rural areas due to the disaster will receive help under MNREGA guidelines.
- Individual beneficiaries will be given Rs. 1 lakh for land development projects.

Loan Rescheduling:
The entire Himachal Pradesh has been declared a Natural Disaster Affected Area.
Instructions have been issued to all banks in the state to reschedule loans to ease the burden on affected families, CM said.