Jammu, September 16, (Scoop News)-To take stock of the problems and assure continued support of the government to those hit by the recent rains and flood, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand along with a team of senior leaders today conducted day long tour of Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Former Union Ministers Ambika Soni, Prof. Saif Ud Din Soz, Former Chairman, Legislative Council Arvinder Micky accompanied during the tour.
The team visited flood affected areas of Haveli and Surankote tehsils and conducted aerial survey along the course of the River Poonch to take stock of the havoc caused by the incessant rains and flash floods.
Recieved at Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), Purani Poonch by the Vice Chairman, Advisory Board for Development of Gujjar&Bakerwal, Bashir Ahmed Naz, MLA Haveli, Ajaz Ahmed Jan, MLC, Dr. Shehnaz Ganai, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch Mohammad Hussain Malik, DIG R-P Range Ashok Kumar Attri and Senior Superintendent of Police, Shamsheer Hussain Choudhary, Azad along with the team straight away drove to the flood affected Sher-e-Kashmir Bridge and the adjoining areas of Shankar Nagar along the bank of River Poonch. They had a first-hand assessment of the magnitude of damage caused by the flash floods and incessant rains.
Azad directed the administration to show promptness in collection of flood damage details so that adequate relief could be provided to the affected people. He asked the Deputy Commissioner, to get a list of affected people with full damages of crops, live stocks and property prepared by the revenue authorities so that relief measures are initiated. He asked him to distribute relief material to those who have lost their homes on priority basis and identify government buildings where they can be rehabilitated in the short term.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that a committee of senior district officers has been constituted and assured that there will be absolute transparency in assessment of damages and relief distribution.
While interacting with affected families at a relief camp in Gujjar& Bakerwal Hostel, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that State has a long history of being hit by floods claiming lives and damaging crops, livestock and property, therefore, a comprehensive policy taking care of every aspect of flood protection is the need of hour. Assuring that all the affected families will be compensated, he asked the affected families of Shankar Nagar to avoid rebuilding their houses near the river banks.
A public meeting at Dak Banglow in Surankote was held where the leaders assured full compensation to all those who have been affected by the flash floods. He directed the revenue authorities to expedite the process of relief distribution to all the affected families. SDM, Surankote, ASP, Poonch, Tehsildar Surankote, Choudhary Mohd Akram, Tariq Manhas besides several prominent citizens were present in the meeting.
At Thanamandi, the team listened to the grievances of the affected and assured that the compensation already distributed would be enhanced as per the assesment of the losses being worked out by the administration. The people brought forward the demands and projected that houses of the area have suffered cracks for which a rehabilitation package needs to be devised.
Later, the team visited Mallah, Nowshera and met with those affected by the recent natural diseaster. They visited the Gurudwara where the families of the tragic bus accident had arranged Bhog for those who had lost life.
The Deputy Chief Minister addressed the gathering and assured continued support to those in need, adding that the state has suffered a lot in the recent calamity but the government would leave no stone unturned to reach out to those who have been hit by the disaster.
“I personally assure that the demands projected by you in already submitted memorandum would be taken up for consideration in the cabinet at the earliest,” he added.
http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=40848