J&K govt announces Rs 1,102 crore flood package
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the rehabilitation of flood victims and the restoration of the public infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, which saw massive devastation caused by floods in September last year.
The decision was taken after the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, NN Vohra met Rajnath Singh on Friday.
An amount of Rs. 1102.56 crore has been sanctioned from the National Disaster Response Fund to meet expenditures incurred by the State Government for the immediate restoration of public infrastructure consequent of the devastation caused by the floods.
While Rs.20 crore has been sanctioned from the National Rural Drinking Water Programme for the restoration of drinking water system, Rs.634.99 crore, has been already spent to provide immediate rehabilitation in the wake of floods as per the following details:
A total of Rs.144.85 crore will go towards food subsidy and Rs.35.67 crore towards restoration of national highways and roads.
Another Rs.25.41 crore will go towards petroleum products, Rs.2.52 crore for milk products and Rs.1.54 crore for medicines.
During the course of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir last year on Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a grant of Rs.765 crore from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and a further Rs.1,000 crore as Special Assistance for the reconstruction of damaged public infrastructure.
The Home Minister and Governor discussed the to-date status of the utilisation of these funds.
During the course of the discussions, it was decided that for final decisions in regard to Special Package of over Rs.41,000 crore which has been submitted by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs shall be the nodal authority for all further decisions in regard to the schemes proposed by the State Government.
The State Government shall also forward detailed proposals/DPRs to the concerned Central Ministries with copies to the Home Ministry which shall exercise overall coordination.
As regards the grant of Rs.570 crore which the Prime Minister had announced during the course of his visit to Srinagar on last Diwali, it was noted that after disbursing compensation at Rs.1 lakh and Rs.50,000 respectively, for fully damaged ‘pucca’ and ‘katcha’ houses, certain funds out of this grant would remain for utilisation.
After hearing the difficulties voiced by the Governor, the Home Minister readily agreed to discuss this matter with the Prime Minister and get an early concurrence for the entire available funds being utilized to also suitably compensate the owners of severely and partially damaged ‘pacca’ and ‘katcha’ houses.
The utilisation of the Special Plan Assistance of Rs.1,000 crore announced by the Prime Minister was also reviewed. The Governor informed the Home Minister that well-considered project reports were being prepared and funds were being promptly released for the execution of the approved projects. He also mentioned that this entire activity was being closely monitored by him.
The Home Minister and the Governor also had an extensive discussion on issues relating to Border Management and consequently, the Home Minister desired the Home Secretary to visit Jammu next week for a comprehensive review of all the border development related schemes.
ANI
