Gujarat sends R 2 crore to quake-hit Sikkim, spends R 50 cr on Modi's fast

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government, which is estimated to have allegedly spent more than Rs 50 crore on the three-day fast of chief minister Narendra Modi, has sent Rs 2 crore as a token of help to the victims of Sikkim earthquake.

Officials said that the state government sent a cheque of Rs 2 crore from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling on Thursday. The chief minister also offered his sympathies to the people of the North-Eastern state.

"The people and government of Gujarat share the pain of the people of Sikkim caused by the earthquake and are with you in this difficult time," Modi said.

The chief minister offered all help and support to the Sikkim government in relief and rescue work in quake-affected areas. He also assured help from experts in disaster management in the rehabilitation of the quake victims.

Earlier in the day, union home minister P Chidambaram announced that the Centre would immediately release Rs 50 crore as grant for relief and rehabilitation work in Sikkim.

The Madhya Pradesh government also announced Rs 5 crore for the quake victims. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also announced Rs 5 crore donation for Sikkim quake victims.

A powerful earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, hit Sikkim and other areas in the eastern part of the country on September 18, causing widespread damage to life and property. The quake toll rose to 78 on Thursday and is expected to rise further. According to estimates, the earthquake damaged property worth Rs1 lakh crore in Sikkim.