A day after J-K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed started handing out the first installment of relief amounts to quake-hit people of villages in Uri, they are wondering what to do with it. They say that the cheques of Rs 40,000 each—first installment of the promised Rs 1 lakh—is just not enough.Disgruntlement is evident in Kamalkote and Sultan Daki villages where the CM began the exercise. While the majority of those who received the first installment say it is too small, many—in Uri town in particular—simply refused to accept the cheques, unless the amount is raised. They feel that the whole exercise is an eyewash. ‘‘The amount is insufficient,’’ says Mohammad Mukthair. ‘‘The quake razed my two houses and a shop. But the government has decided to give me only Rs 1 lakh, and that too in installments,’’ he says, adding, ‘‘What can I do with Rs 40,000? With it, I can neither build a small house nor start a business.’’ Ghulam Mohammad is also in a fix. His three-storey house at Kamalkote is now a mound of debris. Like others whose houses were completely destroyed, Mohammad got Rs 40,000. But 30,000 will be used up in dismantling his damaged house and clearing the rubble. ‘‘Please tell the government to enhance the amount as we have to start from scratch,’’ he told the Express. ‘‘The amount is nothing,’’ says another villager, adding, ‘‘We have decided not to take it unless the government increases it.’’After receiving the Central package, the J-K government fixed Rs 1 lakh each as compensation for houses that were completely destroyed and Rs 10,000 for partially damaged ones—in two installments. In Uri town, the more worried were those who had larger houses. Many refused to take the relief cheques. In the villages, where houses were smaller, the installment was worrying people more, though they were not happy with the amount. Irshad Ahmad of Garcoat villages says, ‘‘If the government is sincere in its efforts, then why is the relief amount being given in installments?’’ He says it will only increase their problem. ‘‘God knows when the next installment will be released,’’ he adds. Many villagers have met senior officials to convey their plight and get the amount enhanced.
