Jammu Tawi, Sep 2: Leader of Opposition in J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the devastation caused by incessant rains, cloudbursts and flash floods that have crippled normal life across Jammu.
Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, with Dr. Narinder Singh, MLA Sham Lal Sharma and MLA Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, Sharma recalled that the disaster began with the cloudburst in Chashoti on August 14, followed by another in Kathua on August 16, and was worsened by continuous rains from August 24 to 26, severely affecting Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi and adjoining districts.
He said BJP representatives stood shoulder to shoulder with people during rescue and relief operations, taking up concerns with the government and coordinating with officials to ensure assistance.
At the same time, Sharma strongly attacked the NC-led government, accusing it of indifference, step-motherly treatment of Jammu and failing to act despite control over crucial departments like power and water supply. Their response, he said, was “lip service and eyewash.”
In contrast, he lauded the Union Government and LG administration for prompt action, citing rescue operations at Vaishno Devi and visits of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who personally reviewed the ground situation, met affected families and directed relief measures.
The Home Minister instructed MLAs to interact with victims on Sept 4–6, hold medical camps on Sept 9, and cleanliness drives on Sept 10–11. Rehabilitation of 200 families in Warwan was also sought.
Sharma announced that all 28 BJP MLAs contributed Rs 1 crore each, totalling Rs 28 crore, while BJP MPs pledged Rs 2.5 crore each, taking the total to Rs 35.5 crore. The Centre has already released Rs 209 crore to the UT Disaster Response Fund and formed a high-level committee to finalise a relief package.
He said requests have been made for free rations to flood-hit families and for farmers to sell accumulated aggregates. Sharma reiterated that while the NC government failed in its duty, the BJP, Union Government and LG administration remain fully committed to maximum relief and rehabilitation.
