Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM reviews relief effort in Jammu & Kashmir

A day after his return from a visit to the earthquake affected areas of Jammu & Kashmir Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had a meeting here today with the Union Cabinet Secretary� National Security Advisor� Principal Secretary to Prime Minister and other senior officials to review the rescue and relief operations in the State. The Prime Minister reviewed the relief work being undertaken and has also kept himself informed about the earthquake damage and relief work in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

The Prime Minister has asked Union minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad to remain in the State for the next week to act as a liaison between the State Government and the Union Government in assisting the relief work. Mr. Azad will extend whatever support the State Government needs and keep the Centre informed.

The Union Cabinet Secretary has already had a meeting with senior officials of the Government of India to ensure full support to the State Government. The Government of India is dispatching blankets� tents and other relief materials through defence aircraft.

As already reported� the Prime Minister spoke to President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan to express his sincere concern about the loss of life and property in PoK. He has also extended all assistance and help for disaster relief in the affected areas.

The Prime Minister received calls from several world leaders conveying their sympathy and offering assistance in the relief work including from the Presidents of the United States of America� Iran and Bangladesh and the Prime Minister of Thailand. The Prime Minister conveyed the gratitude of the people of India� especially the people of Jammu & Kashmir� to all of them.