The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has approved R26 crore for reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the disaster-affected rural regions of Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Dehradun. The funds were sanctioned following a proposal submitted under the Gramotthan Pariyojana (Village Upliftment Project) to address damage caused by this year’s natural calamities.
The amount will be utilised to support villagers whose micro and medium-scale businesses suffered losses during the disaster.
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Rural Development Minister Ganesh Joshi reviewed the extent of damage at a departmental meeting on Thursday, where officials briefed him about the approval. During the review session held at the Hathibarkala camp office, the minister directed officials to expedite all formal procedures and begin on-ground work at the earliest to ensure timely relief.
He also instructed the department to quickly prepare and forward proposals to the Centre for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, whose houses were damaged. Additionally, he emphasised the need for prompt assistance for the reconstruction of micro and medium businesses, Panchayat Bhawans, and rural schools affected by the disaster.
Those present at the meeting included Additional Secretary (Rural Development) Jharna Kamthan, Dehradun CDO Abhinav Shah, District Development Officer Sunil Kumar, and other officials.