Centre announces Rs 1600 cr for relief, reconstruction

The Government of India Tuesday announced Rs 1667 crore for “short-term relief and reconstruction measures” in Jammu and Kashmir while asserting that it is “sympathetically considering” the state’s request on long-term measures to improve the flood-hit infrastructure.

The J&K government “thanked” the Centre for the financial assistance, which, according to flood victims, is “disappointing.”

Addressing media persons here, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said earlier Rs 1602 crore had already been released from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for immediate relief to the flood affected families.

“Rs 1000 crore has been released as Additional Special Plan Assistance and Rs 770 crore sanctioned under the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Thus, Rs 5039 crore has been provided for short term relief/reconstruction measures for the flood affected State,” he said.

Singh said the Border Road Organisation has also been given directions to “immediately repair” the Highway from Jammu to Srinagar.

“A secure and peaceful environment is critical for all-round economic and social development of the State. In the past one year, there has been significant improvement in the security situation in the State. Strict vigil and surveillance by the State Police and Security Forces has led to decline in the level of violence. During the current year, the number of militant incidents and infiltration attempts has also come down by 25 percent,” he said.

Union Finance Minister ArunJaitley said today’s announcement of Rs 1667 crore includes Rs 838 crore on account of pending liabilities of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan 2014, Rs 551 crore additional ex-gratia relief for repair/reconstruction of damaged kuccha houses, Rs 172 crore for tourism sector, Rs 59 crore as subsidy for providing additional food grains and Rs 47 crore for repair of damaged roads.

Providing details of Rs 770 crore sanctioned under the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF), Jaitley said it includes Rs 570 crore for reconstruction/repair of damaged pucca and kuccha houses, Rs 175 crore for damaged medical equipment and Rs 25 crore for text books to flood affected school children.

The Finance Minister also disclosed that for long term rehabilitation package for the State, a team of senior officials of the Government of India including CEO NitiAyog and Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance will be visiting the State soon to assess damage and give suggestions/recommendations for various sectors of the State including Power, Roads, Tourism, Education and Health. On the basis of these recommendations, a long-term rehabilitation package will be worked out, he said.

MOS in the PMO, DrJitendra Singh said the Prime Minister NarendraModi visited the State on September 7, 2014 and announced Rs 1000 crore central assistance as first installment of relief.

The Prime Minister again visited Kashmir on October 23, 2014 on the day of Diwali and announced Rs 770 crore as additional Special Plan assistance under the PM National Relief Fund, he said.

“The Finance Minster of Jammu and Kashmir, HaseebDrabu thanked the Centre and mentioned that the required assistance given by the Centre will further help the people of the State,” a statement by the Press Information Bureau read.

HIGHWAY REPAIRS

The Centre said Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has taken-up repair and maintenance of Jammu-Srinagar highway, including special repairs at three places. “Rs. 47 crore for this purpose has been allotted to BRO,” it said.

FOOD GRAINS

The Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India allocated 97,848 MT rice and 20,320 MT wheat for relief operations at MSP cost to be lifted by April 2015, the Centre said. “Out of this 50,904 MT rice and 20,028 MT wheat has been lifted by the State till April. GOI has decided that balance quantity of 46,944 MT rice and 292 MT wheat may be lifted by the State at APL rates against the MSP rates decided earlier, for distribution to affected areas. The differential price liability of Rs 59.37 crore would be borne by the Government of India. The validity period for lifting is also being increased upto 30.9.2015,” it said.

HOUSING SECTOR

The Centre said ex-gratia payment (estimated at Rs 551 crore) to 73000 completely damaged/severely damaged/partially damaged kucha houses over and above relief provided through SDRF /NDRF/PNMF etc, shall be given. For completely damaged houses, Rs 1.5 lakh, for severely damaged Rs 1.0 lakh and for partially damaged kucha houses, Rs 50,000 shall be provided out of demand operated by Ministry of Home Affairs, it said.

TOURISM SECTOR

GOI said it will provide additional assistance of Rs 100 crore for construction of government tourist assets in lieu of damaged/destroyed tourist assets. The pending grants of Rs 72.34 crore to 12 Tourism development authorities in the State shall also be released, it added.

PENDING LIABILITIES

Government of India said it has decided to fund the balance liabilities of the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan of 2008 (PMRP-State sector) amounting to Rs 838 crore from the Demand operated by Department of Expenditure as Central Assistance to State Plan which were funded through Special Plan Assistance (SPA) by erstwhile Planning Commission under State Plan.