Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently visited the flood-affected Kalaban border area in Poonch district, where he assessed the damage caused by land subsidence and floods. The region has been severely impacted, with over 1,000 people affected and more than 95 houses, a graveyard, and a mosque damaged.
Flood Relief Efforts
Abdullah expressed hope that the Centre will extend a relief package to Jammu and Kashmir, similar to those provided to Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. He stated that the administration has been instructed to prepare a rehabilitation plan, including the grant of five marlas of land under the existing policy, for Cabinet approval.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that a team from the central government has visited various areas of Jammu and Kashmir to assess the damage. He assured that the state government will present its demands to the Centre and work towards securing a suitable relief package.
Rehabilitation Plans
Abdullah emphasized that the government cannot resettle people in areas where the land has sunk or is sinking. Instead, they will need to be relocated to new, safer locations. He highlighted that the government already has a scheme in place to provide landless people with five marlas of government land, which will be used as a model for the rehabilitation plan.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to helping those affected by the floods and landslides, stating that it is their duty to provide assistance during this difficult time. He acknowledged that the rains have caused unprecedented damage in Jammu and Kashmir, with hardly any district remaining unaffected.
Relief Measures
Abdullah assured that the government will utilize its available financial resources to ensure relief reaches the affected people. He urged the Centre to provide a relief package to help mitigate the damage caused by the floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir.
