Now Reading: Omar promises Rajouri flood aid, land and central package
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Omar promises Rajouri flood aid, land and central package
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited flood-hit Rajouri on Thursday and ordered faster restoration, stronger relief and long-term protection for vulnerable areas. He said families who lost homes and agricultural…
The Story in Brief
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited flood-hit Rajouri on Thursday and ordered faster restoration, stronger relief and long-term protection for vulnerable areas. He said families who lost homes and agricultural land would receive five marlas of government land, while affected farmers would get free ration for six months to one year. Abdullah also promised higher compensation for damaged houses and said he would personally submit a special package proposal for Rajouri and Poonch to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Union Territory cannot fund the full restoration cost.
The July 19 flash floods killed four people in Rajouri. Electricity has been almost completely restored, but damaged water-supply schemes remain a concern. Abdullah ordered a protection bund at Bela colony, permanent repair of the Rajouri-Poonch power line and disaster-resistant road designs. A new Rajouri mini secretariat, estimated at Rs 50-60 crore, is planned after the existing building was declared unsafe.
The Indian Opinion
Flood relief should not be reduced to either a publicity exercise or a Centre versus Union Territory contest. The immediate test is whether families who lost homes and farmland receive usable plots, food and compensation without delay. The promised package is still a proposal, and the SDRF revision needs a clear figure. Residents should track how many households are rehabilitated, how quickly water schemes return and whether the Bela bund is completed before the next major rainfall.
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, greaterkashmir.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
