Relief & rethinking

The disclosure that 1,876 fire incidents were reported across Jammu and Kashmir in the past three years, with Rs 17.99 crore disbursed as relief, offers both reassurance and concern. While it reflects an active response mechanism under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), it also exposes the widening gap between assistance provided and the actual cost of recovery for affected families. There is no denying that the government has adhered to prescribed norms. Compensation, Rs 4 lakh for loss of life, housing aid up to Rs 1.30 lakh in hilly areas, and support for partial damages, follows nationally fixed guidelines. However, these figures increasingly appear inadequate in the face of rising construction costs, inflation and the growing vulnerability of urban and rural settlements alike. A house lost to fire today cannot realistically be rebuilt within the financial limits defined under SDRF norms. For many families, especially those from economically weaker sections, the relief amount serves only as a temporary cushion rather than a pathway to full recovery. The emotional and economic toll of such disasters often extends far beyond what monetary assistance currently covers. The government’s position that revisions in compensation lie solely with the Centre highlights a structural limitation. Yet, this cannot become an excuse for inaction. There is a pressing need for stronger advocacy with the Union Government to revisit and revise SDRF norms in line with present-day realities. Additionally, the Union Territory administration must explore supplementary mechanisms, be it through insurance incentives, disaster mitigation funds, or community resilience programmes. Disasters may be inevitable, but inadequate recovery need not be. If relief is to truly restore lives and livelihoods, it must evolve with time, reflecting both economic realities and human need.