Jammu, Friday, September 5:
Working President of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former Cabinet Minister Raman Bhalla today visited the flood-affected areas of Jammu and interacted with affected families. Expressing deep concern over the devastation caused by the recent floods, Bhalla urged the administration to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts with seriousness and accountability.
Bhalla was accompanied by Amrit Bali, Pawan Bhagat, Gurcharan Singh Happy, and Bittu during his visit to Ward 73, and adjoining areas of the Floriculture Garden. He also visited the cremation ground at Bhour Camp, where he directly observed the hardships being faced by locals.
Raman Bhalla has demanded from the government that new ration cards have not been made for a long time.
Because of this, even if a family has four separate households, only one ration card is issued in the name of a single family and the rest do not have separate cards.
He said that due to this, neither proper compensation is reaching the affected people nor are they able to get government benefits.
If a family has four separate households but only one ration card, then they cannot avail the full benefits.
Bhalla demanded that the government should organize camps at the panchayat level or make some other arrangement to help all those needy people who have suffered losses in this disaster.
He said that the non-bifurcation of ration cards is the result of poor governance by the government, and the common people are not at fault in this. Therefore, immediate relief and assistance should be provided to the public.
Bhalla noted that despite more than ten days since the floods, debris and mud continue to choke lanes and homes in several localities. He said, “The situation remains grim. People are struggling to resume normal life, but there is a glaring shortage of manpower and machinery. The administration must immediately mobilize resources, even if it requires diverting heavy machinery from the National Highway or seeking assistance from allied agencies.”
The Congress leader further pointed out that rising water levels in nallahs still posed a threat, while several cremation grounds remain submerged, forcing families to perform last rites in far-off villages. “It is tragic that people are being denied the dignity of performing last rites locally due to the government’s failure to ensure preparedness,” Bhalla remarked.
Calling for urgent action, he demanded immediate restoration of road connectivity, deployment of medical teams in low-lying areas, sanitation drives, and direct distribution of food, clothing, and other essentials. “Public health and hygiene are under severe risk. Without timely medical intervention, there is a looming danger of waterborne diseases,” he warned.
Taking a dig at the BJP-led government, Bhalla ridiculed Jammu’s “Smart City” claims. “If this is a smart city, then what does a failed city look like? The floods have exposed the hollow promises. Infrastructure has collapsed and people are left to suffer,” he asserted.
He further demanded adequate financial assistance and compensation not only for affected families but also for farmers who lost their agricultural lands and crops. “Agriculture is the backbone of our region. Farmers have been among the worst hit in this disaster and they must be compensated fairly and in time,” Bhalla said.
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent visit, Bhalla expressed disappointment that the flood-hit areas have not yet been declared a “National Disaster Zone.” He said such recognition would pave the way for larger relief packages and institutional support.
Concluding his visit, Bhalla said, “The government must rise above optics and deliver on its responsibilities. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are in distress. They need immediate relief, long-term rehabilitation, and above all, a government that is accountable to them.”
