Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 31: Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey today reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures underway in Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
Chief Secretary received brief from both the Divisional Commissioners and from Deputy Commissioners, via video conferencing regarding the status of ex-gratia disbursement to flood victims and their proper rehabilitation.
Mr Khandey directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure zero pendency in respect of disbursement of rent as announced by the Government in favour of all those families, who have preferred to stay in rented accommodations. He said the concerned district administration should ensure suitable facilities to all those families who have preferred to stay in pre-fab shelters constructed for them at various places across the state.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioners informed that ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh announced by the Government in favour of all those families whose next of kin lost their lives due to September floods has been handed over to the affected people.
It was informed that an amount of Rs 156 crore in Kashmir division and Rs 42 crore in Jammu division has been disbursed as relief among the flood affected families.
Mr. Khandey reiterated that the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims will remain priority of the Government and directed the administration to continuously keep up its efforts in this regard.
While reviewing the demolition drive underway to clear encroachments especially along river and canal embankments and waterbodies, Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to step up the efforts further and submit weekly reports. He asked Irrigation & Flood Control Department, to step up dredging/de-silting process in major rivers and canals besides strengthen the embankments.
Deputy Commissioners informed that demolition drive has picked up and scores of illegal structures and thousands of trees along river/canal banks have been removed and more such illegal structures and trees will be removed in coming days.
Principal Secretary Planning & Development B.R. Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, B.B. Vyas, Principal Secretary PDD, A. K. Mehta, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
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