Visits Kalaban, Poonch to review land subsidence damage; sanctions immediate relief for affected families
STATE TIMES NEWS
KALABAN: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reached out to the people of land subsidence-hit Kalaban border area in Poonch district, and hoped the Centre will extend a good package to the Union Territory on the pattern of the one given to Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Abdullah said the administration has been asked to prepare a rehabilitation plan, including the grant of five marlas (one marla = 272.251 sq ft) of land under the existing policy, for the approval of the Cabinet.
“We also maintain communication with the central government, and they have constituted a team which visited different areas of Jammu and Kashmir. We will present our demands in front of them and hope that a good package will be given to Jammu and Kashmir, just as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand,” Abdullah told reporters here.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forests and Tribal Affairs, Javed Rana, Deputy Commissioner Poonch, and other senior officers.
The Chief Minister personally inspected the affected site and obtained a firsthand appraisal of the situation. He interacted with the locals and affected families, assuring them of all possible support from the Government.
To provide immediate relief, the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 38 lakh for the affected families in addition to the Rs 50 lakh already sanctioned under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He reiterated that it is the Government’s duty to extend maximum possible assistance to the people during such difficult times.
During his interactions, the Chief Minister emphasized that the Government stands firmly with the affected families and will ensure all necessary measures for their rehabilitation.
Highlighting the broader impact of this year’s heavy rains across Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that almost every district has suffered damage to infrastructure and private property. He added that the Government has been extending all possible help to the people and noted that a Central Team has recently visited J&K to assess the losses. He expressed hope for a relief package for Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.