PM calls for Cabinet Committee meet, takes stock of Sikkim situation

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tonight chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs to take stock of the situation arising out of Sunday's earthquake in Sikkim.

Singh, who leaves for New York on a six-day visit on Wednesday to attend the UNGA Summit, discussed with his cabinet colleagues the situation in the northeastern state.

The meeting is understood to have deliberated on the ways to help the quake-affected people and about relief and rehabilitation measures.

Home Secretary RK Singh and the ITBP chief are understood to have briefed the meeting about the relief and rescue operations.

Home Minister P Chidambaram, Defence Minister AK Antony and Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi are among those who attended the meeting.

Prior to the meeting, Singh spoke to Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and assured him that the Centre would do everything needed to deal with the situation.

The prime minister's telephonic talk was the second since the powerful quake devastated Sikkim.

Singh has announced ex-gratia relief of Rs two lakh for the kin of those killed in the quake and Rs one lakh for those injured.