Delhi rushes aid to Gujarat

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, JAN. 27.

Responding quickly to the destruction of life and property caused by the devastating earthquake in Gujarat, the Delhi Government today announced that it was dispatching a team of doctors, para- medical staff, technicians, engineers, and Rs.1 crore as assistance to the quake-hit population of the State.

The Delhi Pradesh Congress(I) Committee also announced creation of a ``relief cell'' in the DPCC(I) office to collect relief material. The DPCC(I) president, Mr. Subhash Chopra, demanded that the Central Government declare the tragedy a ``national calamity'' and take up relief work on a war footing.

The Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, held a meeting of the disaster management unit and chalked out a action plan to help the Gujarat Government in this hour of crisis. The Chief Minister said the need of the hour was for all people to join hands and extend maximum possible help to those affected. She also made a passionate appeal to government employees and legislators to contribute a month's salary each towards the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

She also appealed to the people of Delhi to contribute both in cash and kind. She said that Rs.1 crore was being sent from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund along with 10,000 blankets and tarpaulins. A medical team comprising 15 specialist doctors and para-medical staff besides emergency medicines was also being despatched.

A team of engineers, technicians and other personnel required for assisting in reconstruction and repair of civic amenities like hospitals, primary health centres, schools has also been made available to the Gujarat Government.

Meanwhile, in a statement here, Mr. Chopra said a meeting was held at the DPCC(I) office here to express sympathies with those killed in the human tragedy. A condolence resolution was passed.

Mr. Mukesh Sharma, MLA, said the relief cell at DPCC(I) had already started operating and appealed to the citizens and Congress(I) workers to contribute whatever possible for the quake victims. He also appealed to the elite sections of society to contribute financially in this hour of crisis.

An appeal was also made to all MLAs, councillors, block and district presidents and the senior party leaders of the Congress(I) to organise relief material in their local areas.

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Section  : Other States
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