Tara Chand, Sagar, Shabir visit earthquake hit areas of Doda, Kishtwar

DODA / KISHTWAR, (KMW News): The Government is committed to provide best possible relief and assistance to the people, who are affected by the recent earthquake in erstwhile District Doda,
This was stated by the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Tara Chand, who was on one-day tour of the erstwhile Doda district to assess the problems of people of earthquake hit area and review the post-earth quake relief and rehabilitation measures on the instructions of the chief Minister.
Minister for Rural Development Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar and Minister of State for Health Mr. Shabir Ahmed Khan also accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister during the tour.
During the visit, the Group of Ministers(GOM) visited Bhalessa, Gandoh, Changa, Kishtwar, Thatri and Drubshalla areas. They interacted with the people and enquired about the problems and the relief being provided to them.
Interacting with the people, the Ministers assured the affected people that they would be provided three months free ration within three days as per the commitment made by the Chief Minister during his recent visit of the area. Every affected family would be provided relief and rehabilitation assistance as per the damages assessed by the teams already constituted for assessing the damages to their property, they maintained.
The Ministers said that the coalition government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to provide best possible assistance and relief to the affected population in the region as 80-90 per cent property has suffered damages. They said preliminary reports have showed huge damage to the public as well as government property across the region, adding that as the survey gets completed within a couple of days, a clear picture comes out about the actual damages in the region.
They said tents as temporary shelter are being arranged and provided to the severely affected families and directed the officers to ensure distribution of tents among the deserving and affected families, besides, make actual assessment of damages on ground, so that all the affected and deserving people of the District get benefited.
“All the affected and deserving families will be provided all possible relief and help by the State and Central Government, so that they will get rehabilitated, for which coordinated efforts are being made by the State as well as Central level”, they maintained.
MLA Bhaderwah Mr. Mohammad Sharief Niaz, who was accompanying the GoMs during the tour, also assured the people that the quake affected people in Doda District must be provided relief and assistance on the analogy of relief provided to the quake affected people in Uri. He also underlined the need of dumping of 3-4 months ration in Bhalessa area as per the geo-graphical conditions of the region.
Later, the GoM chaired a joint meeting of officers of different departments and issued on-the-spot directions for keeping available every time for redressing the grievance of the people.
The Ministers were informed that in Doda 29000 houses have been damaged partially, 10500 severely and 655 fully. Similarly, in Kishtwar district 18000 houses have been partially damaged, 2700 severely and 70 fully; in Ramban District private property worth Rs. 15 lakh has been reported as damaged whereas government property worth Rs. 1.5 crore has also been reported damaged. Similarly, in Doda District government property worth 80 crore has been damaged and in Kishtwar Rs. 8 crore has been reported as loss to the government property.
In Doda District 494 schools, 12 PHCs and 273 Community Centres have been damaged severely. Similarly in Kishtwar 169 schools have been reported as damaged.
The meeting was also told that as many as 2500 tents have been distributed in Doda district whereas 750 tents have been distributed in Kishtwar till date.
The Ministers directed the officers to prepare a comprehensive damage assessment report so that the quantum of damaged can be assessed properly and adequate relief is given to the affected families.
Commissioner Secretary, Revenue, Mr. Vinod Koul, DDC Doda Mr. Mubarak Singh, SP Doda Mr. Arif Rishu, SDM Gandoh besides District and Sectoral officers attended the meeting.