S. S. DHINDSA DEDICATES SATAPAR VILLAGE RECONSTRUCTED BY IFFCO AFTER THE 26TH JANUARY 2001 EARTHQUAKE

---

Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri S. S. Dhindsa dedicated the newly constructed Satapar village in Anjar, Taluka of Kutch district to the villagers today. Shri Dhindsa congratulated IFFCO on the quick and effective reconstruction work undertaken. There was heavy loss of life and property to this village by the earthquake on 26th January, 2001 and Kisan Seva Fund (KSF) which was created by Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO) as a Trust has done commendable work, the Minister added. Rehabilitation efforts in Satapar village includes construction of 231 houses and various infrastructural facilities such as school, Anganwadi, Samajwadis, Panchayat Ghar, overhead and underground water tank etc. Assistance has also been extended to 122 beneficiaries for reconstruction of their houses. Senior officials of IFFCO and KRIBHCO were present on the occasion. Kisan Seva Fund has reconstructed the villages and undertaken rehabilitation of the victims. It will later undertake relief activities in the event of natural calamities like earthquakes, droughts, cyclones, fire etc. KSF has so far received contributions from IFFCO, KRIBHCO, Employees of IFFCO, various Co-operative Societies and also from abroad. IFFCO and KRIBHCO have contributed Rs. 10 crore and Rs. 5 crore respectively to KSF. The project costs for reconstruction and rehabilitation of village Satapar under package I & II of the Government of Gujarat is Rs. 497.10 lakh of which the share of KSF is Rs. 292.91 lakh and the share of the Government is Rs. 204.21 lakh. KSF has undertaken rehabilitation/reconstruction works in the affected villages by rebuilding totally destroyed houses, huts and repair of partially damaged houses. In addition, construction of Public Infrastructure Facilities such as Primary Schools, Community Centers, Water Tanks, Water supply and Drainage lines, Storm Water Drains and Roads have also been taken up. Seven villages - Modsar, Padana, Amarsar, Satapar, Kukma, Nani Chirai and Varshamedi - in Kutch District have been adopted by the Fund. Construction of Panchayat Ghars in 24 villages, repair/reconstruction of Check Dams in Joginar, Pantiya and Hirapar villages and construction of Primary schools at village Khavda is in progress. To strengthen the cooperative movement, financial assistance is also being provided to 65 Cooperative societies to reconstruct their office-cum-godowns which was damaged during the earthquake.