Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 13: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for rebuilding Jammu and Kashmir as a model State in the aftermath of the devastating floods to revive not only its old glory but creating new opportunities for development and growth.
Interacting with people during his extensive tour of the flood-affected areas of district Pulwama today, Sayeed said PDP is in the process of formulating a comprehensive policy framework on sustainable and planned reconstruction of the areas devastated by the September floods and the same would be operationalized once the party comes to power with the people’s mandate.
He said PDP’s policy framework would also include a separate flood control master plan to minimize the loss to life and property in the eventuality of any future disasters and other climate threats. “PDP’s policy framework would incorporate tangible short, medium and long-term measures aimed at rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood-affected areas including rebuilding of economy and restoration of the livelihoods through latest technological and innovative interventions,” he said and added that Town Planners, Structural Engineers, Reconstruction and CSR professionals would be roped in by the party to kick-start structured rehabilitation and reconstruction programme in the State.
Expressing dismay over the Government’s apathetic attitude towards the plight of the flood-hit people, Sayeed said the areas of immediate concern for the administration should be housing, rations and livelihood. “Instead of restricting itself to making vacuous announcements, the Government should immediately reach out to the flood-affected people with substantial relief package especially for housing, businesses and crops destroyed and damaged by the floods,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, senior PDP leader Dr Haseeb Drabu, who is the party’s candidate for Rajpora Assembly segment, said, if it comes to power, PDP’s focus would be on infrastructure building in agriculture, horticulture, tourism and handicraft sectors to give a fillip to the State’s economy and create more job opportunities for the local youth.
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