JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he will personally approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a proposal seeking a special central package for the flood-affected districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
He also noted that the union territory does not have the financial capacity to meet the entire cost of restoration on its own.
“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,” the chief minister 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,” Abdullah said.
Reviewing the aftermath of the July 19 flash floods that claimed four lives in Rajouri district, the chief minister said the government’s response had been carried out in three phases — rescue, recovery and rehabilitation.
“Our first priority was to minimise the loss of human lives. We regret the loss of four precious lives in this district. Had the district administration and police not acted promptly overnight, the death toll could have been much higher,” he said.
He said the government has now entered the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, with priority being given to restoring damaged infrastructure and public services. Abdullah said electricity supply has been restored almost completely, while drinking water remains a major concern as several Jal Shakti Department water supply schemes were damaged in the floods.
He said suggestions made by local MLAs, including the deployment of water tankers and hand pumps in affected areas, would be implemented.
The chief minister assured compensation for damaged houses and said alternative plots would be provided to families whose land had been washed away so that they could rebuild their homes.
He also announced that farmers who lost their 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 immediately construct a protection bund at Bela colony to prevent floodwaters from entering residential areas during future floods.
He also announced plans to construct a new mini secretariat in Rajouri after the existing Deputy Commissioner’s office building was found to be 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 also 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 the issue of vehicles damaged in the floods, the chief minister said he has directed the police 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 said MLA Iftikhar Sahib raised two or three important issues concerning Rajouri town.
“These included the implementation of AMRUT Phase-II for Rajouri, identifying an alternative site for the Kala bus stand, and issues relating to power and water supply. We will certainly examine all the points”, he added. — (PTI)