Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Sept 14: Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra and Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana today reassured flood-hit people of all possible help, saying the Government is alive to their problems and taking all measures to mitigate these.
Interacting with various sections of affected people at Reasi, after carrying out aerial survey of most flood and land hit areas across Pir Panjal and the Districts of Reasi and Udhampur, especially Mahore and Panchari, Mr Sadhotra referred to the colossal damage caused to life, property, crops, infrastructure and utility services and said a massive rehabilitation programme has become imperative.
“As of now, the priority is to save people, shift marooned population to safer areas and to ensure evacuation of marooned sufferers on immediate basis”, he said, adding that mega operations by multiple agencies are currently going on across the state. He said putting back life on tracks is being given focussed attention with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself monitoring rescue and relief measures. He said health and hygiene remains yet another challenge that is being addressed on urgent basis to avert disease.
Mr Sadhotra and Mr Rana, lauded the rescue operations, saying these are biggest ever undertaken in recent times.
Mr Rana exhorted the people to be united and meet the challenge by rising above party politics. “The catastrophe has shaken the state and we have to face it unitedly and collectively”, he maintained.
He asked the party workers and functionaries to convert all the units at grass roots level as relief and rescue centres and reach out the needy for providing all necessary assistance. He said the people and the administration has to work in tandem to meet the situation.
Giving an overview of the rescue and relief operation undertaken so far, Mr Rana stressed the need for strengthening the hands of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is relentlessly monitoring the situation and ensuring safe passage of people from the marooned areas to safer places. He said all resources are required to be poled to overcome challenge posed by horrendous natural calamity.
At Reasi, the District Development Commissioner briefed the visiting dignitaries about the damages caused and steps taken to mitigate the problems of the people. He said the initial priority had been to lodge the affected people in safer places and this has been done by utilizing all available Government accommodation.
The DDC also gave an account of damage caused to infrastructure and said plans are being worked out to put these in place in a time bound manner.
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