CM seeks special central package for Rajouri, Poonch flood victims

Rajouri, Aug 6: Seeking a special financial package from the Centre for the flash flood-hit districts of Rajouri and Poonch, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced a series of relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected families, including enhanced compensation for damaged houses, and assured them that his government stands firmly by their side during this difficult time.
During his visit to the worst-hit areas, including Bela Colony and Behrote Aitti, CM Omar met bereaved families, inspected damaged roads, public infrastructure and residential localities and reviewed rescue, restoration and rehabilitation measures with senior civil and police officers.
Talking to reporters, the Chief Minister said the government’s foremost priority during the July 19 flash floods was to minimise the loss of human lives.
Expressing grief over the loss of four lives in Rajouri, he credited the district administration for its timely response. “Had the administration not acted swiftly that night, the number of casualties could have been much higher,” CM Omar said.
He said restoration work across the district is progressing on a war footing, with electricity supply largely restored while efforts are underway to revive damaged Jal Shakti water supply schemes.
The Chief Minister assured that families whose houses have been damaged will receive compensation, while those who have lost both their homes and agricultural land due to the floods will be provided five marlas of government land for rehabilitation and free ration.
He also assured all possible assistance to farmers who suffered losses to crops and agricultural land.
Chairing a high-level review meeting later, CM Omar said the existing compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) has become inadequate as it has not been revised for several years despite a sharp rise in construction costs. “The SDRF compensation for structural damage has not been increased for seven to eight years. Construction costs have gone up substantially, but the relief amount has remained unchanged. We will increase it,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the scale of destruction was beyond the financial capacity of Jammu and Kashmir alone and announced that the government would seek a special financial package from the Centre.
“We can do some things ourselves, but the reality is that J&K does not have the financial capacity to bear the entire burden of these losses. I have directed the Deputy Commissioners of Rajouri and Poonch to prepare a comprehensive package. As soon as it is ready, I will personally take it to the Prime Minister,” CM Omar said.
Reviewing the damage to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, CM Omar said the existing Mini Secretariat building has become unsafe and could no longer be used. “This is no longer a choice but a necessity. The building is not fit for use. I have asked the Deputy Commissioner to prepare a project for a new Mini Secretariat. It may cost around RS 50-60 crore and I hope it will be completed within the next two to three years,” he said.
The Chief Minister directed the Flood Control Department to immediately undertake protection works at vulnerable spots to prevent further erosion and minimise future losses.
He also instructed the administration to prepare long-term mitigation measures, saying disaster-resilient infrastructure was the need of the hour.
He said proposals should be prepared for installation of hand pumps in feasible locations to ensure drinking water supply, while the Public Works Department was asked to design roads capable of withstanding disasters in hilly terrain.
The Chief Minister said construction along riverbanks would not be allowed in future, observing that rivers reclaim their natural course during extreme weather events.
He said the issues related to the alternate bus stand, Jal Shakti restoration and other public infrastructure would also be examined sympathetically.
Referring to vehicles washed away in the floods, CM Omar directed the police to expedite registration of FIRs to ensure genuine victims do not face hurdles in securing insurance claims.
“A few people may try to misuse the system, but genuine victims should not suffer because of that. FIRs should be processed without delay so that insurance and compensation claims are not held up,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the families of those killed in the flash floods, including Jal Shakti daily wager Abdul Ghani, who was swept away while on duty, and other bereaved families, assuring them of full government support.
He reiterated that rehabilitation of affected families, restoration of damaged infrastructure and strengthening of disaster mitigation measures would remain the government’s top priority until normalcy is fully restored in the flood-ravaged district. (KNO)