PM likely to visit Leh to review reconstruction

NEW DELHI/JAMMU - Keeping his promise to the people of devastation-hit Leh, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to visit the cold desert next month to oversee relief and reconstruction work in the aftermath of the Aug 6 flash floods, an official said Friday.

The exact date has yet to be finalised as the prime minister has a hectic schedule in the first half of November, the official told IANS.

The flash floods triggered by a cloudburst killed at least 180 people, including six foreigners, while a few hundred were missing.

Before the onset of winter, I will again visit you and inspect the houses that will be constructed for you, Manmohan Singh had promised the people of Leh on his Aug 17 visit and also announced a Rs.125-crore relief package for the victims.

He had promised that the reconstruction of the destroyed houses would be completed before the onset of winter.

The official said that the prime minister has a hectic schedule in the first half of November, including a special AICC session Nov 2, Diwali celebrations, US President Barack Obama’s visit Nov 6-9 and the winter session of parliament from Nov 9.

“Still, the prime minister is likely to visit Leh,” the official said.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has begun preparations for Manmohan Singh’s visit.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Leh Friday to review the relief work. He held a meeting with the officers to ascertain the progress in reconstruction projects.

Manmohan Singh had also announced a monitoring committee under the chairmanship of the state chief secretary to ensure effective implementation of various schemes for the people.