J-K to send ministerial teams to Delhi on relief, refugees

Jammu and Kashmir government will send ministerial teams to New Delhi to hold talks over comprehensive packages for flood relief, rehabilitation and PoK refugees in the state.
"A team lead by Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu will be sent to New Delhi to hold talks and get a flood-relief package for Jammu and Kashmir," Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed told Legislative Council here today.
He was replying to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's Address in the Legislative Council.
Stating that his government has accorded top priority to reconstruct the flood-ravaged infrastructure and rehabilitate those who lost everything to the September flood fury, the chief minister said all affected people, especially small-time businessmen who had no security or insurance, shall be provided relief.

The chief minister said so far the Union government has released Rs 1,000 crore under 'Prime Minister's Package for Floods' for restoration of damage to public assets over and above around Rs 1,100 crore already available with the state government under NDRF for emergency relief and temporary restoration.
An amount of Rs 820 crore, he said, stands spent under SDRF.

"The work on commencement of permanent restoration has already begun. We are separately pursuing the release of a Special Package that would cater to the requirements of the affected people," he added.
On the issue of the refugees of PoK, the chief minister said, "We have decided to send another delegation of the minister led by the Deputy Chief Minister to resolve the package issue and facilitate its grant to the state."

Making a pinpoint reference about the government's resolve to address the issue of one-time settlement of refugees from PoK, the chief minister said a package has already been forwarded by the previous government on flood relief and refugees.
"The coalition government will also take all measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan refugees.
"I have framed a committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, which will look into the issue," he said adding, they cannot be provided government jobs but we will provide jobs in the private sector.