Jammu, October 9 (Scoop News) –Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla on Sunday informed that the Government has already submitted a proposal of Rs. 1775 crore package for one time settlement of refugees’ issues, to Central Government.
He said that in this regard a central team of senior officers is visiting to Jammu this month to ensure early redressal of the hardships of displaced families. He said the Central and State Governments are fully aware of refugees (DPs) hardships and are making all out efforts to mitigate the same in a phased manner. He said for upgrading the socio-economic condition of the DPs, the Centre Government approved Rs. 49 crore package to give away land deficiency compensation to the displaced families adding that Rs. 27 crore has already been distributed with a provision of Rs. 1.50 lakh to each beneficiary.
Earlier Bhalla distributed cheques worth Rs. 20.17 lakh as relief among 648 flood and rain hit families of Bhour Camp, Dharp, Nai Basti, Gaddigarh and Chatha at a public darbar here today.
The relief to the affected families was given under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)
Assistant Commissioner Revenue Indeerjit Bhagat, besides other senior officers of Revenue and Relief were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the Government has sanctioned Rs. 3 crore each shares Jammu and Kashmir regions for distribution of immediate relief under (SDRF) to flood and rain hit families. He said instructions were issued to Deputy Commissioners to submit the list of affected families of their respective districts so that relief under SDRF could be distributed among them under norms fixed by the Revenue Department.
Regarding compensation to drought hit families, Bhalla said the central Government headed by UPA chairperson s. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has approved Rs. 156 crore for distribution of relief to drought hit families of the State adding instructions were issued to District Development Commissioners to disburse relief according to norms fixed by the Government. He said the relief included free ration worth Rs. 70 crore and cash relief of Rs. 27 crore
Listing the measures taken by the government to ensure efficient and good governance, he said Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) introduced in the state would revolutionize delivery of public services and providing these within the fixed time frame. He said the Act also provides for punishment in the form of fine to the officials who fail to meet the prescribed time frame. . He said instructions were issued to PHE, PDD, CAPD, Revenue, H&UDD and Transport to ensure the implementation of PSGA in letter and spirit, making it clear that no laxity would be tolerated on this account. He said there is an urgent need of making general public aware of their rights of receiving public services within prescribed time frame, he added.
Minister also discussed the proposed site plan for construction of 202-bedded Gynne department at Gandhi Nagar, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 69 crore.
Managing Director Housing Board, Dalip Thusoo, Director Health Services, Dr. Madhu Khullar and MS Dr. Romesh Gupta accompanied the Minister.
Interacting with the medics and para-medics staff, Bhalla informed that the porposed gynea section would have 6-storey building including basement with all infrastructural facilities including six fully air conditioned operations theatres, parking slot, doctors’ room with toilet facilities etc. He said the project would be completed within one and half year. He asked the Housing Board authorities to put their sincere efforts in completing the project within the stipulated time frame.
At Saroore in Samba district, the Minister listened to the problems of Brick kiln owners especially enhancement of brick rates at par with Kashmir valley. He assured them the projected demands would be redressed on priority basis.
Later, the Minister also launched work for the construction of deep drain, lanes and culverts at Manjeet Singh Nagar, involving an estimated cost of Rs. 15 lakh.