Flood Victims Rattled – Centre rejects relief package

Kashmir Media Watch Bureau
New Delhi, 6 January : In a body- blow to hopes and aspirations of flood ravaged people of Kashmir ,Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led Central government is stated to not accept the state government’s proposal for relief and rehabilitation to the flood victims of the State.
According to sources, the State administration has been ordered to accommodate relief and rehabilitation process from its own resources instead waiting from the central funding.
After the aftermath of autumn 2014 floods, State government had submitted a proposal of Rs 44,000 crore seeking special assistance package from the Central government for relief to the flood-hit people. A team deputed by Union government also carried out on-spot assessment of damages in the affected areas of Kashmir and had submitted its recommendations.
“The Union home ministry has asked the State government to accommodate the relief and rehabilitation process in its annual plan. The Central government has told the State administration that it won’t be possible for the Centre to accept the proposal and release such a huge amount so that J&K has to find a way from its own sources,” a senior official of the Finance Department said.
However, he said it was not possible for the State to carry out relief and rehabilitation on its own funds. Official sources said around Rs 900 crore under the SDRF has been utilized by the State government and Rs 1000 crore announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi too have been utilized. “The State has no more funds to continue the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims,” sources said.
They said the State has been utilizing its own funds but won’t continue the relief and rehabilitation process if there is further delay in release of funds from the Centre.