J-K govt to seek Centre's assistance for quake-hit areas

Jammu and Kashmir government today said it would ask the Centre for a rehabilitation package for the quake affected areas of Doda region on the same lines as that of 2010 Leh cloudburst.
"We will demand from the Centre a rehabilitation for the quake affected areas package on the same pattern as that of Leh. After the assessment is completed, we will submit a report and demand the package," Minister for Roads and Buildings, Abdul Majid Wani told reporters here.
Wani said the state government has already released Rs 25 crore for the immediate relief to the victims in the affected areas and will do everything possible to provide relief to the people in the region.

"State government has already released Rs 25 crore for the affected. This amount includes tents, immediate relief and free ration for three months for the affected families. We dispatched all available tents and pre-fabricated huts to the region as an immediate relief," he said.
The minister said the assessment of the damage in the natural calamity that hit districts of Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and adjacent areas on May 1 has not been completed yet, but assured the process would be completed by May 10.
"Preliminary reports suggest there has been a damage of more than 90 per cent in these areas. There are many far flung areas in the region where the damage assessment is still taking place. It will be completed by the 10th of this month, after which we will submit our demand for the package to the Centre," he said.

Wani said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed three ministers to stay-put in the affected areas and that the chief minister himself is monitoring the situation.

"I have been directed to stay in Doda, Ajay Sadhotara (Minister for Planning & Development) has been directed to stay in Bhaderwah and Sajad Kichloo (MoS Home) has been directed to stay in Kishtwar," he said.
Wani said he will visit the region along with the chief minister tomorrow.
The minister also said there have been "clear cut" directions from chief minister to "counter-check" damages so that relief is distributed in a transparent and accountable manner.

About 255 persons were killed in the 2010 cloudburst and the subsequent floods at Leh.