Rehabilitation of flood victims to be done at war footing: Min

Jammu and Kashmir government today said efforts to rehabilitate people in flood-hit Kishtwar district would be taken on war footing ahead of winters as the delay could lead to more death and destruction in the area.
"The flood victims will soon be rehabilitated under a special package. The rehabilitation would be done on war footing, failing which there is a possibility of large scale loss of life and property," state Home minister Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo said while chairing a review meeting at Kishtwar, 230- km from here.
The minister, during a visit to the flood-hit areas in the district, assured the people that immediate measures would be taken for their rehabilitation.

"Four villages of Chanjer in Marwah, Anjana in Nagseni, Ongai in Atholi and Chatroo have been severely damaged in the floods and a large number of families have been rendered homeless," Kichloo said.
The minister also held a meeting with the district officials to review the steps taken for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.
He was informed that Rs 10.08 crore has so far been released for the temporary restoration and payment of relief to the affected families in the district.

"Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already sanctioned Rs 200 crore each to Kashmir and Jammu divisions for immediate relief and rehabilitation of those districts affected by recent floods," the minister said.

He said the government would leave no stone unturned to fully compensate the families who have lost their homes and other property in the floods.
"The state government has prepared a memorandum of losses, which after the approval of the Cabinet, shall be sent to the Centre for release of funds to fully rehabilitate the flood -affected families," he added.
The minister was informed that a package of Rs 115.73 crore would be required to carry out the rescue relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims in the district.