Omar meets PM, seeks special rehab package for flood-hit

Pitching for liberal assistance from the Centre, Omar told that such a package was necessary for putting life back on rails in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari during the latter’s visit to discuss the post-flood measures in Srinagar on Monday. Source: PTI photo

The Jammu Kashmir government on Tuesday sought a special rehabilitation package from the Centre for putting life back on the rails in flood ravaged state.

The demand was made by state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah when he called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, said an official spokesman here. “While expressing his gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Central government for timely assistance by way of rescue and immediate relief to the affected people, the chief minister vehemently advocated for liberal and massive assistance from the Central government for relief and rehabilitation of flood affected people,’’ the spokesman added.

“Our hearts go out for the families who have lost their dear ones,’’ Omar said, adding that the loss of property has been colossal in this calamity. “We look to you in this hour of grave crisis for all the required support during the second phase of calamity management in respect to the rehabilitation of affected families both in terms of housing and livelihood, besides permanent restoration of public assets,’’ Omar told the Prime Minister.

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The Chief Minister said that while the state government will immediately role out financial assistance to the affected families from out of the State Disaster Relief Fund, a liberal and pragmatic financial package will need to be worked out for permanent and sustainable settlement and rehabilitation of households devastated by floods. “Considering that the residential houses in Kashmir are built at a cost much higher than other parts of the country and in view of limited working season available before the onset of winter, it is imperative that Central government agrees to the extra ordinary funds for reconstruction of fully and partially damaged houses by the affected families,’’ he said.

Apart from providing financial support to the business establishments affected by the calamity, the agriculture and horticulture losses also need to be compensated fully, he said. All these elements will need to be factored into a special rehabilitation package which also aims at addressing the livelihood concerns of a large number of population devastated by the tragedy, he added.

Amon other things, the Chief Minister also discussed “flood threat management programme’’ and asked the Central government to approve Rs 2,200 crore flood threat management project for river Jhelum already submitted by state government. He also appreciated the role played by Indian Army, Air Force and National Disaster Recue Force in aid of the civil authorities making the rescue efforts result oriented.

The Prime Minister assured all Central support to the state for relief and rehabilitation of affected families and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, the spokesman added.

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