India, Sept. 12 -- The Opposition Congress on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the Dehradun additional district magistrate (ADM) for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a Rs.20,000-crore relief package for disaster-hit areas of the state. The memorandum was handed over to the ADM by party leaders under the leadership of state Congress senior vice-president (organisation) Suryakant Dhasmana. The party urged the Centre to release the package for relief compensation, rehabilitation of victims and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in districts including Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pauri Garhwal and Pithoragarh, which have seen widespread devastation in recent months. In the memorandum, the party said, "....the state is reeling under severe natural disasters, with continuous heavy rains triggering landslides, cloudbursts and other calamities that have caused extensive loss of life and property in the hill districts. Hundreds of families have been rendered homeless, while essential services such as roads, bridges, water supply and power remain disrupted in several areas. The recent cloudburst in Dharali village of Uttarkashi turned into a major disaster, and the market area in Dewal block of Chamoli's Tharali region was completely devastated in August. Similar large-scale destruction has also been reported from Dharchula in Pithoragarh, parts of Rudraprayag and Pauri Garhwal." "Being a hilly state, Uttarakhand remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters. In the past too, incidents such as the Joshimath land subsidence had prompted a demand for a Rs.6,000-crore relief package. This year, reports of massive devastation continue to emerge from across the state.... There is an urgent need for a special and focused approach to disaster management and relief operations," it said. "Uttarakhand's economy relies heavily on tourism and pilgrimage, both of which have been severely hit by the recent disasters. The Char Dham Yatra, local tourism, the hotel industry, small businesses and trade are all facing large-scale disruption. A special package is essential to revive these sectors, restore livelihoods and bring the state's economy back on track," Dhasmana said, "On behalf of the Congress, I have requested that this memorandum be sent to the Prime Minister Narendra," Dhasmana said after submitting it to ADM Jai Bharat Singh. Congress spokespersons Sujata Paul and Dr Pratima Singh, party leader Sonia Anand, State Congress Labour Cell president Dinesh Kaushal, and leaders Harendra Bedi and Anuj Dutt Sharma were also present....