Omar Abdullah to seek relief package for flood-hit Poonch, Rajouri from Centre

Jammu, Aug 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he will personally approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a special central relief package for flood-ravaged Poonch and Rajouri districts.

After touring the affected districts and reviewing the damage caused by recent floods, Abdullah said the union territory does not have the financial capacity to meet the entire cost of restoration.

“While there are some things we can manage on our own, the reality is that Jammu and Kashmir does not have the financial capacity to bear the entire cost of restoration. After last year’s floods, the Central government approved a package of nearly Rs 1,400 crore for Jammu and Kashmir. This time too, we will prepare a detailed package and seek Central assistance,” Abdullah told reporters after chairing a review meeting on flood relief and rehabilitation in Rajouri.

He said floods, flash floods and cloudbursts are automatically treated as natural disasters and do not require any separate declaration before seeking Central assistance. “As soon as the proposal is ready, I will personally submit it to the Prime Minister,” he added.

Abdullah said that following the cloudbursts and flash floods, the administration responded with rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation, as 19 flash floods claimed four lives. He asserted that prompt action by the district administration prevented greater loss of life.

“We regret the loss of four precious lives in this district. Government is now in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, with priority being given to restoring damaged infrastructure and public services,” he said.

The Chief Minister said electricity supply has been restored almost completely, while drinking water remains a major concern as several Jal Shakti Department schemes were damaged. Suggestions made by local MLAs, including deployment of water tankers and hand pumps, would be implemented.

He assured compensation for damaged houses and said alternative plots would be provided to families whose land had been washed away. Farmers who lost crops and agricultural land would be provided free ration for six months to one year.

Highlighting long-term mitigation measures, Abdullah said he has directed the flood control department to construct a protection bund at Bela colony to prevent floodwaters from entering residential areas in future.

He also announced plans to construct a new mini secretariat in Rajouri after the existing Deputy Commissioner’s office building was found structurally unsafe.

“This is no longer a matter of choice, but a necessity. The present building is no longer fit for use. A project report is being prepared, and we expect the new mini secretariat to cost around Rs 50–60 crore. We hope to complete it within the next two to three years,” he said.

Abdullah acknowledged that compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for structural damage had become inadequate due to inflation.

“The SDRF compensation has not been revised for nearly seven to eight years. We have decided to enhance it,” he said.

On vehicles damaged in the floods, he said police have been directed to expedite registration of FIRs so that affected owners do not face difficulties in claiming insurance.

“Some people may attempt to misuse the process, but genuine victims should not suffer. The SSP has assured us that the cases will be processed expeditiously,” he said.

He added that MLA Iftikhar Ahmad raised issues concerning Rajouri town, including implementation of AMRUT Phase-II, identifying an alternative site for the Kala bus stand, and matters relating to power and water supply. “We will certainly examine all the points,” Abdullah said.

For the past three days, Abdullah has been extensively touring flood-affected parts of Poonch and Rajouri and personally interacting with families of the affected people.

Source: IANS