Though it is unusual but the Prime Minister chose to be with the jawans in Siachin on the festival of Diwali. The Prime Minister said that he had come to his family to be with them on this day of festival. It is a memorable day for the jawans and the officers to have met the PM rather informally and enjoyed his company on a day on which the jawans normally wish to be among their family members. Siachin post is perhaps the highest military post in the world at a height of 17000 feet above sea level. One can imagine the difficulties that our forces are facing at such a height and in very harsh climatic conditions. Frost bites and extreme temperature takes the toll of precious lives of our soldiers. They are making the rarest of rare sacrifices. The PM is right in saying that as the jawans keep vigil on such heights and such conditions, the nation sleeps in peace. Therefore the PM chose a day to visit them and infuse morale in the jawans. He spoke to them warmly, praised their courage and determination to face the challenges of the enemy and hold fast to their positions.
We are faced with a very unpredictable adversary in that region. China has been trying to intimidate our troops by resorting to breach of friendly relations. Chinese troops suddenly enter our territory, pitch up tents and stay there till they are detected and challenged and then they retire to their side of the LAC. It is difficult to predict what they will do and when. But the visit of the Prime Minster gives a message to the Chinese that India will not take things lying low and that her troops are ready to react to any challenge thrown to them. From the point of national security, Prime Minister’s visit is a morale booster for the troops especially when the harsh winter has already set in and snow blizzards are blowing fast.
The Prime Minister categorically said that his Government would be taking care of the interests of the forces and that the question of one rank one pension would be resolved very soon. Actually the process of resolving the issue has begun. The PM is also thinking of other perks and facilities for the soldiers rendering service in these difficult conditions.
After his interaction with the jawans in Siachin, the Prime Minster came to Srinagar with the purpose of meeting in person the groups of people, from whom he was eager to know the conditions of the people who have suffered flood ravages. A large number of people representing various professions met with him and told him the story of their suffering. Though flood waters have receded and dewatering has been completed but the aftermath of the floods are now surfacing and these have to be tackled. The Prime Minister has announced a grant of 175 crore rupees for repairing some major hospitals that have suffered extensively in the floods. The equipment and essential medical accessories have been damaged and need to be replaced. Many houses have suffered grave damages and this need to be repaired before the winter sets in. The PM has sanctioned 570 crore rupees for repair and rebuilding of houses. The State Government is supposed to provide other facilities like timber and building material on concessional rates. Many families are still living in tents and they have to be shifted to houses before the onset of the winter. The PM has also assured the school going students that they would be provided with all facilities that are needed to resumption of normal schooling. It will be reminded that thousands of school going children have lost their books and other material.
The State Government had submitted a mega rehabilitation package to the Central Government. The Central Government was looking into it and all relevant aspects of the relief package were being considered. Earlier on his first visit to the ravaged city, the Prime Minister had announced a package of one thousand crores of rupees after he made aerial survey of the situation. The amount of relief which has been sanctioned so far is not perhaps the end of the game but in due course of time, more funds will come and one by one difficulty of the sufferers will be mitigated. But we have to understand that this will take its time. The foremost importance has to be given to shelter and health of the victims. Prime Minister is seriously concerned about the rehabilitation of the victims and that is why the packages announced so far are to meet the immediate requirements. Full rehabilitation is a long process and we should not expect any Government whether it is State or Central to be holding any magic wand so that everything will be set right in shortest possible time.
The State Government has also moved the machinery in full to respond to the requirement of flood victims. Revenue Department has been advised to make full assessment of the losses suffered and the type of relief needed. Even a central team has also come to assist the State Government in making assessment of damages. The damages met by public property like bridges, culverts, buildings, schools, stores, material, hospitals etc. particularly in the area of infrastructure are enormous.
The Chief Minister has already thanked the Prime Minister for his deep concern for the people of the state who have suffered. The Prime Minister was monitoring the situation in Kashmir at the height of the tragedy and did all he could to come to the support of the people of the State.
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