SRINAGAR: Announcing that Government is pursuing financial package with the Centre for flood victims of the state, Relief and Rehabilitation minister Basharat Bukhari said a comprehensive policy is needed for rehabilitation of victims of natural calamities and other tragedies.
“Yes, we are looking at Delhi for a comprehensive package,” Mr Bukhari said, while replying to the Calling Attention Notice by MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami, on the efforts being made by the Government towards rehabilitating the victims of September 2014 floods.
“Our Finance Minister (Dr Haseeb Drabu) is pursuing the package with New Delhi. We are hopeful that it will be released soon. The flood package prepared by our Government has many components including humanitarian relief, rebuilding infrastructure and compensating the affected households and traders,” Mr Bukhari said.
He said Rs 400 crore has been approved by Central Water Commission (CWC) for strengthening banks of rivers in the state which will be spent through Flood Control Department.
”An amount of Rs 1500 crore has been released by the World Bank which will be used in dealing with the aftermath of floods,” he said.
“The Government has no comprehensive policy for rehabilitating victims of such tragedies, although individual cases, like the victims of border firing, are taken up. Besides, some cases are also approved by the Cabinet in absence of a comprehensive policy,” the minister said. (AGENCIES)
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