Gear up efforts to ensure facilities to flood-hit people: Sham

Jammu and Kashmir government has started work on repairing public utilities in Jammu region damaged by the recent floods, Public Health Engineering Minister Sham Lal Sharma said here today.
"The government agencies have started restoration of damage caused to public utilities in Jammu region in the backdrop of recent heavy rains and floods," he said while chairing a meeting of senior officers of various departments at Akhnoor.
Sharma took stock of relief and restoration works in flood affected areas in Akhnoor, Chowki Choura, Mehra-Mandria, as well as Jourian in Akhnoor border belt of Jammu district.
He asked the concerned officers to ensure timely completion of restoration works in the flood affected areas.

The minister directed concerned agencies to take up the restoration works on war footing basis and make a comprehensive plan to check any such damage in the near future.
He also reviewed the position of Ranbir, Pratap and Ravi Tawi Canals. The Chief Engineer informed the Minister that the restoration work of Ranbir Canal would be completed within two-three days and irrigation facilities would be restored for the farmers.

Sharma also took stock of supply position of essential commodities including rice, atta, sugar etc. He directed the local administration to provide 35 kgs of free ration to the flood victims for the next 6 months as decided by the government.

He further stressed to place men and machinery into service to meet the challenge thrown by incessant rains and flood.
The minister was also briefed about the losses of various crops besides damages of houses and directed to submit report to the concerned quarter immediately.