Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s visit to the flood-hit villages of the Jammu region was, undoubtedly, a sympathetic gesture that brought a wave of hope to thousands of distressed farmers and rural families. At a time when despair has gripped rural communities, the Minister’s decision to personally tour affected areas, speak directly with farmers, and elaborate in detail on the relief measures being planned by the Central Government was both timely and reassuring. His words carried the weight of empathy as he shared their grief and assured them that their pain would be treated as the pain of the nation.
Chouhan’s outlined measures address a wide range of needs. For those whose homes were damaged or destroyed, there is a provision of Rs 1.3 lakh under the PMAY, along with the construction of toilets and MNREGA wages. Farmers were assured that their crop insurance would be fully settled without irregularities, and a special Central team would coordinate directly with insurance companies. Compensation for vegetable crops, milch animals, horses and oxen is assured. Self-help groups run by rural women and NGOs, whose materials and resources were washed away, have been promised support. Further, an additional instalment under PM-Kisan will be released, and MGNREGA mandays will be increased from 100 to 150, creating more work opportunities for those who have lost livelihoods. These announcements reflect the seriousness with which the Centre has taken the disaster.
But beyond these assurances lies the grim reality on the ground. More than 5,000 houses lie in ruins, vast stretches of farmland are buried under layers of sand and silt, and standing crops-vegetables, basmati, and maize-have been flattened. Livestock losses have further robbed families of their sustenance. Self-help groups, which form the backbone of rural women’s economic independence, have seen years of effort washed away. For ordinary families, this is not just a temporary setback but a complete collapse of their livelihood structure.
Nearly a month has passed since the floods, yet the process of relief distribution remains sluggish. In disasters of such magnitude, time is the most critical factor. Each day of delay increases hardship, creates uncertainty, and erodes trust in institutions. The visit of the Union Minister has no doubt reassured people that they have not been abandoned. Still, unless relief materialises on the ground swiftly, words will lose their power to console. One important point Chouhan raised was the availability of Rs 2,499 crore in funds with the UT Government. Yet, there has been no announcement or initiative on how this large pool of money will be utilised for flood rehabilitation. Equally concerning is the lack of decision regarding the removal of sand deposits from agricultural land. Unless these fields are cleared immediately, even the next crop season will be lost. That would be a crippling blow to J&K’s economy. This is where both the Central and UT Governments must act in unison, leaving aside bureaucratic hurdles and political considerations.
Relief is not only about financial aid but also about restoring confidence. Farmers and rural families must know what schemes they are entitled to, where to apply, and when to expect help. Local MLAs and district administration must now play a decisive role. They must ensure that every damaged house is surveyed, every acre of damaged crop recorded, and every deserving family compensated. This requires consistent fieldwork, accurate documentation, and outreach programmes to spread awareness of available schemes. Without such groundwork, even the best Central packages will fail to reach their intended beneficiaries. The challenges are enormous. The poor, who are in a state of shock, need guidance first, followed by due compensation. Only then will there be a sense of justice and healing. The responsibility lies with the UT leadership and local administrations to ensure delivery on the ground. The Centre has opened its purse and made promises; the UT must act with urgency, transparency, and compassion. Healing words must now translate into healing action. Only then can the people of J&K rebuild their shattered lives and look ahead with hope.
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