This Article is From Mar 29, 2015

Rehabilitation of Flood Victims' Top Priority of New Jammu and Kashmir Government

Rehabilitation of Flood Victims' Top Priority of New Jammu and Kashmir Government

Over 2.53 lakh houses were damaged in the floods. (Photo by - Aamir Nowshahri)

Srinagar:
The Jammu and Kashmir government today said it was committed to rehabilitate the flood-affected people of the state as it was a top priority issue.
 
"Relief has been provided to next of kin of the deceased persons and to the owners of damaged structures through State Disaster Response Fund and Chief Minster's Relief Fund while an amount of Rs 118.90 crore has been paid to 16,199 families whose houses were fully damaged through Prime Minister's National Relief Fund," Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari said.
 
Besides, a special assistance plan of Rs 1,000 crore has been formed and it will be a part of the Annual Plan for the current financial year for permanent restoration of damaged public infrastructure, the minister said.
 
He said that the state government and the World Bank have carried out a comprehensive needs assessment in respect of state governments' requirements for funds for reconstruction.
 
Based on the report, the World Bank has indicated its willingness to provide Rs 1,500 crore for reconstruction work in key infrastructure sectors and for livelihood restoration.
 
With regard to relief being provided to the migrants, he said that the state government has been making efforts for their rehabilitation and socio-economic progress.
 
He said the government was committed to facilitate the return of migrants to the Valley and added that 3,000 supernumerary posts have been created for providing employment to the Valley's migrant youth under Prime Minister's package for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.
 
The Minister said that for the displaced people of "erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir of 1947, 65 and 71", the government had been providing various packages from time to time and for their one time settlement, a package of around Rs 9,000 crore had been submitted to the Union Government and was being followed up.
 
He informed the House that for development of judicial infrastructure in the state, an amount of Rs 32.57 crore during the current financial year have been released so far in favour of different executing agencies for construction of some ongoing and new projects including new Legislature Complex at Jammu and other places.

.