Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma on Thursday conducted an extensive tour of various remote and hilly areas including Godan, Tachwan Bala, Kandi, Nahi Wala and other flood affected areas of Mera Mandrian zones to take stock of damage of property due to recent incessant rains and flash flood.
At Godan, the Minister visited the spots where the residential houses have been collapsed and hundreds kanal of land of the village has been washed away. He directed the local administration to provide tents and blankets and other essential things to the affected families besides shifting them to the safer place. He asked the concerned department to provide six month free ration and five marlas plots to the affected families for residential purpose. He assured the people of the area that the government will help them at this juncture of crisis for their rehabilitation.
After appraisal of huge loss of paddy, maize and horticulture crops in the area, the Minister directed the officers to assess the total losses of crops so that the timely relief could be provided to the people.
The Minister directed to the concerned officers for complete repair of damaged roads of these areas on war footing.
The Minister also inspected the supply position in these remote areas and was told that so far one month free ration has been distributed among the affected families as per norms. He further stressed the need of deploying more men and machinery to meet the challenge posed by the recent flash floods.
The Minister directed the administration that the restoration work should be completed in a time frame manner besides asking them for smooth and fast distribution of compensation among the flood affected families.
Enroute, various deputations called on the Minister and apprised him of their difficulties.
SDM Akhnoor, Executive Engineers, PHE, PWD, I&FC, sectoral officers, Sarpanch and Panchs of the areas were also present on the occasion.