Omar directs officials to procure prefabricated structures

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today asked the administration to immediately start procuring prefabricated structures ahead of winter season for those rendered homeless due to the devastating floods.
"Let it be 500 prefab structures in the first phase," Omar told officials during the daily briefing on the post-flood relief and rehabilitation process in the state.
Omar directed the officials to take immediate measures for procuring the structures to gear up for winters.
"You should take a call on this aspect right now and move forward urgently to procure prefab structures. These can be installed at various places to provide shelter to homeless victims of floods," he said.

The Chief Minister said all arrangements should be finalised to meet challenges on account of providing temporary shelters and warm clothing to the affected families residing in tents and other temporary camps.
He also directed the Housing Department for speedy clearance of permission for reconstruction of houses collapsed due to floods.

He was informed that the Housing Department has earmarked two hectares of land for relocation of families living in Chunti Kul, a backwater canal of Dal Lake.
Omar was also told that the Divisional Administration has so far disbursed Rs 15 crore as interim relief in cases where the houses have been completely damaged by floods.

The Chief Minister asked his Principal Secretary to take up the issue of billing and restoration of cellular services with BSNL and other companies.
"I will myself write to Union Telecommunication Minister in this regard," he added.
The Chief Minister also asked the Power Development Department not to bill the consumers in flooded areas for the period of inundation. "You cannot bill people for the period they were inundated," he said.
For the hailstorm affected areas of Jammu region, he directed the Revenue authorities to carry out a special loss assessment report.