Rs 1102 cr flood-relief package for Jammu and Kashmir

The Jammu and Kashmir government today said the Centre has approved a package of only Rs 1102 crore for the flood-hit state as against the requirement of Rs 2600 crore.
"Rs 2926.11 crore has been projected for the flood-hit people of Jammu and Kashmir as per SDRF norms. Such assessment was made at the initial stage and during the completion of verification process, the requirement as per SDRF norms came down to Rs 2600 crore," Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar said in Legislative Assembly here today.
"The Central government while considering the claim of the state government in respect of State Disaster Response Fund requirement approved only Rs 1102 crore," Kumar said while replying to a special discussion on the relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected people.

Giving details of relief measures after September 2014 floods, Singh said the previous government had submitted a comprehensive package amounting to Rs 44,000 crore to the Centre for restoration of public infrastructure, ex-gratia to next of kin of the deceased and relief on account of damage to various crops etc.
He said in the first instance, the Union government provided Rs 426 crore for paying compensation to those families whose houses were either severely or partially damaged. Another amount of Rs 13.79 crore was also provided under PM's National Relief Fund for making the ex-gratia payment to next of kin of the deceased.

Deputy Chief Minister said the state government also made available Rs 1044 crore out of the SDRF for relief operations and temporary restoration of damaged public infrastructure.

He said these funds have been kept at the disposal of Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and other concerned departments for the purpose.
"The process of distribution of relief is going on as per the available funds and Government of India is approached for releasing the balance funds to meet the requirements".
Sharing House's concern over the loss of human lives and public assets during the September floods and recent rains, snowfall followed by landslides across the state, Kumar informed the Assembly that the government was making serious efforts to provide immediate succor to the affected people.