Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari today said that Relief and Rehabilitation Package of September-2014 flood damages is being vigorously pursued with the Union Government and Planning and Development Department is compiling requite proposals for submission to the NITI Aayog.
Replying to clubbed question of several MLAs in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Bukhari said Relief and Rehabilitation Package submitted to the Central Government comprises two components, one a Special Package and the other under SDRF norms.
He said the part of package covered under SDRF norms amounts to Rs 2926.11 crore, out of which Rs 1566 crore was earmarked for temporary restorations. He said High Level Committee has approved Rs 1602.56 crore, out of which Rs 500 crore have been earmarked for the Indian Air Force, leaving a balance of Rs 1102.56 crore only.
“The matter is vigorously being pursued with the Central Government for release of the balance funds out of NDRF”, he said, adding “in respect of Special Package, the memorandum has been submitted by Union Ministry of Home Affairs to the NITI Aayog, which had sort proposals with regard to permanent restoration of the damaged infrastructure”. He further said that requisite proposals are being compiled by the Planning and Development Department for submission to NITI Aayog.
The Minister informed that by and large the flood victims of Kashmir Valley are satisfied with assessment made for the damages caused and the categorization of the structures as per the SDRF norms. He however, said that on the application of the concerned flood victims the reassessment regarding the categorization of the damaged houses is being carried out through Inter Departmental Committees to the full satisfaction of the concerned flood victims.
“However, flood victims are not satisfied with the quantum of the relief admissible as per the SDRF norms, because of the high cost of the construction”, Basharat Bukhari said, adding a comprehensive rehabilitation package for providing adequate relief on an enhanced scale to the flood victims has been submitted to Centre and as soon as the package is approved the flood affected families will be compensated accordingly.
The Minister informed that 9.99 lakh acres of land under Orchards, Paddy and other Crops has been damaged due to the September 2014 floods in the State, out of which 0.55 lakh acres are in District Kulgam. He informed that 6 month free ration to the flood affected families is being/has been provided through CA&PD Department throughout the State uniformly.
Stating that the damages/losses suffered to the business/industrial establishments are being assessed, he said, “so far, out of approximately 75000 business and industrial establishments, verification has been completed in respect of 35000 establishments”, adding “all the residential houses, which have developed cracks and have been rendered unsafe for residential purposes are being inspected by the Inter-Departmental Teams and upon declaration by the team these have been categorised as fully damaged”.
About the residential houses situated along the roads and river/nallah banks, which have developed cracks in the aftermath of recent floods and heavy snowfall, he said, “the assessment/verification is being conducted through the Inter-Departmental Teams and as soon as this exercise is completed, the relief admissible as per SDRF norms will be provided”.
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