Shandil announces Rs 21,000 each for disaster-hit Dharampur families
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil visited several disaster-affected areas of the Dharampur constituency in Mandi district yesterday. Accompanied by Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar, the minister reviewed the damage caused by recent landslides and assessed the progress of relief and rehabilitation efforts.
The minister interacted with the displaced families staying in relief camps and assured them of full support from the state government. He announced a financial relief of Rs 21,000 per affected family of Syathi village living in camps. He declared that the families, which had lost their homes in the disaster, would receive an assistance of up to Rs 7 lakh for house reconstruction. A monthly rental aid of Rs 5,000 would also be provided for six months. Compensation would also be granted for the loss of livestock and household goods.
Shandil instructed the officials concerned to ensure timely disbursement of relief based on accurate damage assessment. He said that the Trimbla-based Mata Naina Devi relief camp was sheltering 61 persons of Syathi village. The administration had distributed immediate relief amounting to Rs 3.26 lakh and was providing essential items like food, drinking water, medical care, blankets.
Shandil inspected key locations like under-construction bridges on the National Highway-3 at Cholthra and Paadchu, Syathi village and a community health centre at Sajyau Piplu.
The minister also chaired a meeting with doctors and Health Department officials at the Model Civil Hospital, Dharampur. He made several key announcements aimed at strengthening healthcare services in the region. A Block Public Health Unit would be set up at the Sarkaghat Civil Hospital.
An amount of Rs 15 lakh had been sanctioned for the construction of protective walls at the Community Health Centre in Sajyau Piplu. Additionally, Rs 47 lakh had been approved for the development of a dialysis centre, a blood storage unit, CT scan facility, operating theatre and a mortuary at the Dharampur hospital.
Earlier in the day, the minister visited the state-run children’s home at Bharnal in Sarkaghat, operated by the Deenbandhu Seva Mandal. He interacted with children, inquired after their well-being and encouraged them to adopt discipline, honesty and hard work.
He spoke about the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana and reaffirmed the state government’s resolve to support orphans and destitute children by granting them “Children of the State” status, thus taking full responsibility for their education, housing, healthcare and employment.
To support children’s holistic development, the minister announced a donation of Rs 51,000 from his discretionary fund to be used for recreational and creative activities. He inspected facilities at the children’s home and instructed officials concerned to carry out necessary improvements.
Himachal Tribune