Project-wise support expected for damaged Govt infra
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 17: Chances of a good flood relief package for Jammu and Kashmir by the Government of India have brighten up following detailed assessment of damages, both civilian and Government infrastructure, completed recently by the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) teams deputed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
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“The PDNA teams visited the Union Territory twice and their all queries pertaining to damages have been answered by the administration. The teams have been given detailed assessment of the damages and they appeared to be satisfied with losses projected by the administration,” official sources told the Excelsior.
They said the PDNA teams were given detailed assessment of damages caused by floods and torrential rains in the month of August this year in which several houses, fields, crops etc and infrastructure like bridges, roads, culverts etc were damaged, many of them extensively.
Compensation to the people affected by damages under SDRF has been paid. In some of the cases, special compensation under Prime Minister’s and Chief Minister’s Relief Funds besides Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has also been given.
However, the package being sought by the UT Government is the special relief package for flood-affected victims as well as infrastructure. As per the sources, the chances are that the MHA may sanction project wise package besides relief for the civilians in different categories.
“Indications are also that some of the damaged works may be covered under the relief package which is expected to be approved by the Government of India,” the sources said.
Heavy rains and floods rocked the UT, mainly the Jammu region in the month of August especially August 14 and 26 when two major tragedies also occurred at Chishoti in Kishtwar district and Adh Kunwari at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine in Katra town of Reasi district. Nearly 100 people, mostly the pilgrims of Shri Machail Mata Ji shrine, are believed to have been killed in floods triggered by flashflood at Chishoti in August 14 tragedy while 34 pilgrims of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine were killed in landslides at Adh-Kunwari on August 26.
Several lives were also lost at other places in the floods and landslides.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the Jammu region for two days on August 31 and September 1 to assess flood damages and visited several areas besides holding meetings with top brass of the administration. He announced Rs 209 crore for SDRF as the Central share after the assessment.
Shah had also deputed Inter Ministerial Assessment Team which visited the Union Territory for nearly a week to assess the damages suffered by civilians as well as the Government infrastructure.
“With Post Disaster Need Assessment teams also completing their job, the Government is confident that the special Central package for flood damages will be released soon,” the sources said.
Some of the States like Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh which were also hit by floods during the Monsoon, have been sanctioned flood relief package.
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