NEW DELHI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- More than two weeks after monsoon floods devastated Uttarakhand, killing thousands, the government of the northern Indian state Monday announced a slew of relief and rehabilitation measures mainly for local residents and businesses.
The state's Chief Minister, Vijay Bahuguna, announced the measures ranging from free rations to waiving off power bills of residents and compensation, a day after he created a flutter by saying that the exact death toll in the natural calamity may never be known.
"We have decided on compensation for all commercial establishments, from small dhaba (food outlet) vendors to hotels. Power bills have been waived off for affected families while free ration will be given to villages where connectivity has not been restored yet," he told the media in state capital Dehradun.
The Chief Minister said that no permission would be given in the future for construction of houses and hotels on the banks of a river, saying, "this will be strictly followed."
"A statutory body, Uttarakhand Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority, will be formed and will be chaired by the Chief Minister. It will look over all rehabilitation, reconstruction and prevention," he added.
Meanwhile, authorities have said that some 1,000 people are still stranded in the difficult terrains of the hilly state, as rescue operations are on the last leg. "The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force will air lift those still stranded in the mountains latest by Tuesday," an official said.
Uttarakhand, popular among Hindu pilgrims for its holy shrines and rivers, was hit by monsoon floods on June 16, which triggered landslides and washed away towns and roads.
The state is said to have received this year the heaviest rainfall in the last 60 years.
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