Jahangeer Ganaie
Anantnag, Sep 5: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday visited flood-affected areas in Anantnag district.
According to reports, Mehbooba Mufti interacted with local residents and assessed the damage caused by the recent floods.
Speaking to reporters, she said that people in Anantnag had a close shave. “The paddy crop has been submerged under water due to which farmers will face losses. In 2014, when floods came, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had immediately taken charge of the government and secured a package from the Centre. My request to Omar Abdullah is to seek a package from the Centre and utilize it for the welfare of the people,” she said.
She added former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had managed to get around Rs 1,600 crore for the Jhelum project and another Rac1,500 crore from the World Bank for flood mitigation works. “The works were started and continued for some time, but were later stopped due to unknown reasons,” she said.
Calling upon Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who she said now holds an “absolute mandate”, the PDP chief urged him to take up the matter with the Union Government so that pending works can be resumed. “The banks of water bodies must be strengthened to prevent such disasters in the future. If the government fails to do so, there will be more problems ahead,” she added.
Highlighting the widespread devastation, Mehbooba stressed that both Jammu and Kashmir regions have suffered massive losses. “Omar Abdullah must also work to get a relief package sanctioned for the affected people in Jammu as well as Kashmir,” she added.
