Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 21: The Union Government has asked the State administration to complete assessment of damage to infrastructure and civilian property in the worst ever floods in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest and submit a comprehensive report so that a Central team visits the State shortly, undertakes its detailed review and finalize roadmap for rebuilding the State.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth has sought a detailed assessment of exact losses suffered in terms of Government infrastructure like road network, bridges, water tanks, electric transformers, culverts, Government buildings etc apart from civilian property in both divisions of the State in recent heavy floods and rains.
The Government of India has sought the comprehensive report at the earliest for further action at its end.
Confirming that the Union Government has sought earlier assessment of the damages to Government infrastructure and civilian property, sources said the administration in all the districts affected by recent floods and rains was on the job and they would be able to compile the report at the earliest, most likely in the next couple of days and submit it to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who will further forward it to the Government of India.
“As some parts of Kashmir Valley were still under water and relief and rescue mission were underway, the administration has prepared comprehensive report of most of the districts and preliminary assessment of damages of two to three districts, where water has still not receded,” sources said.
The Centre has decided to send a high level team of Secretaries of various Ministries including Surface Transport, Power, Home, Water Resources, Human Resources Development etc to undertake assessment of the damage after getting report from the State Government. Thereafter, sources said, the Government of India would approve relief for the State Government to come out of the crisis caused by the worst ever floods.
Sources said the Central team would comprise representatives of almost all Ministries, which were concerned with rebuilding of infrastructure in the State. As far as deaths were concerned, the State has already confirmed 290 deaths in the floods and the number could go up once the flood water recede completely from some of the areas, which were still under knee deep waters.
So far, the Government of India has given Rs 1000 crores as first installment of package to Jammu and Kashmir Government to overcome the tragedy and authorized it to use Rs 1100 crores of State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), which has 90 per cent Central grant.
Sources said Rs 1000 crores given to Jammu and Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his visit to Jammu and Srinagar was only first installment and second installment would follow after the State Government submits its assessment report of damaged and the Central team undertakes visit to the State.
They hoped that this entire process would be completed in a week’s time enabling the Centre to finalize next installment of relief for the State Government, they added.
Sources said Home Secretary Anil Goswami, who was camping in the Kashmir Valley for past more than 10 days, has also submitted his detailed assessment of damages to civilian property and Government infrastructure apart from number of dead and injured to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. He had visited several districts of Valley and Jammu before giving his report to the Union Home Minister.
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