PDP member stages walk-out

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: The opposition PDP member Sayed Asgar Ali hailing from Kishtwar today locked horns with the Minister Incharge Revenue Relief and Rehabilitation, Aijaz Khan and staged walk-out on the issue of denial of cash relief/ ration to over 4600 earthquake affected families of  district Kishtwar in the Upper House of the Legislature today.
In a calling attention notice moved in the House of  Elders, the PDP member expressed strong resentment over the attitude of the Government and its reply.  He alleged that the reply given by the Minister was not satisfactory. He said it was true as per the claim of the Minister that people from Marwah, Dachhan and Warwan have refused to accept ration or relief.
Mr Asgar  pointed out that a meager relief of just Rs 1900 for the partially damaged house of the earthquake victims was just a cruel joke with them. He claimed that a large number of families have been ignored and not provided any relief despite the fact that Government claimed to have released Rs 5.5 crore as cash assistance/ relief and placed under the disposal of Dy Commissioner Kishtwar.
Not satisfied by the reply of the Minister and alleging casual approach on the part of Government the PDP member staged walk out.
Earlier, the Minister claimed that 25331 families from entire Kishtwar district  including Paddar, Bonjwan, Marwah and Dachhan have been provided free of cost ration for three months. He claimed that Rs 2.07 were spent by the Government on it.
He further said that the incident took place May 1, 2013 at 12.27 pm and many houses in Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and Ramban area were damaged. Two persons were killed and nine were injured in the incident. Nearly 26,355 houses were damaged  and 389 were found eligible for payment of relief under SDRF guidelines.
Mr Khan said 2915 families identified for relief in tehsil Chhatroo and 1687 in tehsil Kishtwar-Nagseni, total 4602, familes have not received relief/ ration with the plea that they will not receive the ration until the left out families are provided free ration. He also disclosed that Rs 5.5 crore were released and placed on the disposal of DC Kishtwar. On the basis of some complaints it was decided that all the cases will be re-verified and accordingly a team was constituted for the purpose. It was also found that people have also repaired their house at their own which had suffered minor damages.     The DC also sought assistance from the Vigilance organization for carrying out verification, however, Vigilance men are waiting for the report from the committees framed by DC. The action would be taken after the report is received from the committees and number of houses  entitled for the relief is ascertained. He said as per SDRF norms,  houses which are partially damaged will be provided Rs 1900 per family and most of the people are reluctant to accept the relief. He said a revised package has been sent to Govt of India as and when these funds are received genuine families would get the same.

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