Relief for snowfall victims

Sir,

The recent snowfall which in many ways was unprecedented has damaged property worth crores in the State. As a result of the snowfall atleast thirty people lost their lives.

In the Jammu region alone the snowfall wreacked heavoc with the whole mountain areas. People remained cut off of days. Houses collapsed and hundreds of domestic animals were killed. Many central teams visited the State of take stock of the situation. Now it is being reported that damages due to snowfall in Jammu province have been worked out. It has been estimated that roughly the damages have been put at 95 crores.

In addition to the various departments who have suffered damages to their infrastructure it needs to the emphasised that there is an urgent need to provide rehabilitation to the people who have lost their nears and dears in the snowfall. Many houses have been totally damaged and as already said hundreds of cattle have been killed. The main reason for the loss of life in heavy snowfall is that remote areas are not well connected. In the age of information technology every remote hamlet should be provided with wireless phone where from these villagers can send the message for help. Besides road connectivity needs to be enhanced. We should place some snow clearing machines at the Tehsil headquarters so that they throw open the roads to the interior areas without wasting time. It is hoped that in future the authorities take stock of the circumstances so that they are better equipped for dealing with such calamites in future.

Yours etc...
Prakash Ram
Udhampur

Sinking village

Sir,

A sensational news report was published in this paper about the sinking of a whole village (Feb 20).

In this regard the news report has sent shivers down the spine of the readers. Sarbagni, the name of the concerned village has sunk several inches for the past few yeas is a grave development.

A village that gives way is a risk to its inhabitants. This village is near to the national highway. This makes the situation very more dangerous. First of all steps should be taken to ascertain the causes of the sinking village. The authorities should ask geologists and other experts to see what are the causes of the sinking. If the findings pointout to a geological fault then the village needs to be shifted to other suitable location.

Whenever there is a loose ground the underground bedrock gives way as a result the superstructure found on the soil sinks. A few inches sinking can cause cracks in the foundation and hence reduce its power to withstand the load of the superstructure. In this way it is all the more essential to ensure that the villagers do not suffer. Moreover as the village is reported to be only a few kilometers away from the highway it is most essential to ensure that the villagers do not suffer. More ever as the village is reported to be only a few kilometers away from the highway it is most essential to know if the National highway does not face any risk of sinking in near future. Hence there is a need for a comprehensive geological survey in the affected area so that the causes of sinking are known and solution is found to counter the threat.

Yours etc...
Rughbir Singh
Digiana
Jammu

Petrol hike

Sir,

The recent hike in the price of petrol by two rupees and diesel by one rupee has again showed that the Government is not concerned about the woes of the Aam Aadmi. People in the country are already finding it difficult to make both ends meet. The prices of all essential commodities have sky rocketed. In this scenario the recent petrol hike will again prove further detrimental to the interests of the common man.

The increase in the prices of these fuels will result in the increase in the prices of all essential commodities. Ultimately the transporters will raise the fare charges and in the end it will be the common man again which will have to face the burden of price rise. Students will be affected as they avail of the public transport almost daily.

Already house wives are having a tough time to meet their daily needs. The new price hike will throw their whole budget which is always slender, out of gear. The Union Government should reconsider its decision to raise the prices of petrol and diesel. As fuel is the important ingredient of economy any price rise will have a cascading influence upon the whole range of economy. Freight charges will increase and so will eventually be the prices. When the Aam Aadmi is already suffering due to the rise prises the future the hike in petrol and diesel will increase their problems manifold.

Yours etc...
Priya Sethi
Purani Mandi
Jammu