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Group of empowered ministers constituted

The government has constituted a Group of Empowered Ministers to oversee relief and rehabilitation efforts in quake-affected Gujarat, Home Minister L K Advani told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday evening.

The group is headed by Advani and has Defence Minister George Fernandes, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj and Civil Supplies Minister Shanta Kumar as members.

On Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary T R Prasad briefed the ministers about the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Gujarat.

The newly-created group of ministers will co-ordinate with the Gujarat government for providing relief and rehabilitation to the victims of the Bhuj earthquake.

"The Resident Commissioner of Gujarat is co-ordinating relief measures on behalf of the state government in Delhi," Advani informed.

He said his tour of Kutch district was an eye-opener. The 'seriousness of the situation in the state' spurred the central government to constitute the empowered group of ministers to ensure effective relief and rehabilitation measures for the victims, he said.

Referring to Anjar, Kukma and Ratnala villages, Advani said the earthquake had caused unparalleled destruction. While 630 villages in the district had been 'completely destroyed', many more suffered a similar fate elsewhere in the state, he underscored.

"The people and the government have to work together," Advani said, referring to the commendable work being done by certain NGOs in Gujarat.

On the issue of looting of quake victims, Advani said, "In a situation like this, one has to be prepared for petty crimes of this kind."

Asked why the Gujarat government was understating the death toll, Advani pointed out that dead bodies were still being discovered and there was no way one could cite definite figures.

Advani expressed his gratitude to those countries, which had offered relief and their expertise, including concrete-cutting machinery and sniffer dogs.

The World Bank, he said, had decided to help the Gujarat government in two phases. It would give $300 million as immediately relief and provide a long-term 'disaster mitigation package' within six months.

The Asian Development Bank had also decided to pitch in with $350 million for relief and rehabilitation, he informed.

He said the Indian Meteorological Department had suggested having a close look at the vulnerability of areas lying in earthquake-prone areas.

The next meeting of the ministers would take place on February 2.

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