Reviews post-flood relief & restoration measures
Srinagar, Sep 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday chaired a high-level meeting to take a comprehensive review of flood relief and restoration measures across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta; Principal Secretary PWD; Commissioner Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs; Secretary School Education; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir divisions; Inspector General of Police (NH); Deputy Commissioners; and other concerned officers also attended the meeting. Several officials joined the meeting through virtual mode.
The Chief Minister directed all departments to expedite their assessment so that projections for relief and restoration could be submitted to the Government of India without delay. He enquired about the funds released during the floods and was informed that in several districts these funds have been utilized in temporary restoration works. Stressing the importance of durable solutions, he directed the Jal Shakti Department to avoid temporary fixes and instead focus only on permanent restoration of water supply schemes.
He also reviewed the safety audit of schools undertaken after the floods, calling for the certification process to be fast-tracked. Responding to rumours and misinformation circulating on social media about “deliberate delay” in movement of fruit trucks on Srinagar-Jammu Highway (NH-44), the Chief Minister instructed the Divisional Commissioners and IGP (NH) to issue verified information promptly so that people remain updated with facts.
Chief Minister was informed that slow movement has been on account of poor road conditions in certain stretches of National Highway and not deliberate.
During the meeting, Omar Abdullah expressed concern over damage to the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu. Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, informed that land subsidence along the Circular Road had damaged the backside of the complex, underscoring the need for urgent protective measures.
The Chief Minister impressed upon his Council of Ministers to finalize departmental projections quickly and for District Authorities to reconcile figures with Departments to arrive at accurate figures so that a consolidated proposal could be submitted to the Government of India for a comprehensive restoration package. He directed officials to ensure robust preparedness, strengthen embankments and put in place effective response mechanisms to safeguard lives and property. He further directed concerned Deputy Commissioners to submit report regarding admissibility of ex-gratia relief in favour of next of kin of families from J&K who lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh in recent land slide.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated that permanent restoration of infrastructure and restoration of livelihoods would be taken up on a war footing once a comprehensive package is approved by the Government of India.
