SRINAGAR, JUNE 1(KMW): Reiterating that relief and rehabilitation of the flood affected is the priority of the Government, Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Relief & Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari said that the Government is committed and making all efforts to provide relief to those affected in the September 2014 floods.
The Minister stated this in a meeting to review the progress of post flood relief and rehabilitation measures in the affected districts of the State.
Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Arun Kumar, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone and other senior officers attended the meeting.
It was informed that relief has been provided to the next of kin of the deceased persons who died during the floods at the rate of Rs. 5 Lakh. Out of this, Rs 2 Lakh were disbursed under Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, and Rs 1.5 Lakh each under the State Disaster Response Fund and Chief Minster’s Relief Fund.
It was also given out in the meeting that an amount of Rs. 46.96 Cr has been paid against 20,896 severely or partially damaged houses in the State, while as financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 137.83 Cr has been released against 18,703 completely damaged houses across the two divisions of the State.
The Minister directed the concerned officers to consolidate the district wise liabilities on account of temporary restoration of public infrastructure, so that the same could be put before the SEC for approval.
The Minister urged that both the Divisional Commissioners should ensure that no pendency remains with regard to the disbursement of relief in favour of fully, severely or partially damaged houses.
The Minister also instructed that the concerned DCs shall carry out re-verification in cases where there are complaints regarding property damage assessment.
Meanwhile, Bukhari while underscoring the importance of preparedness against disasters, directed that the draft of Jammu & Kashmir State Disaster Management Plan prepared by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, should be placed before the State Disaster Management Authority, which is headed by the Chief Minister for approval and adoption.
