Omar sanctions Rs 87 cr for flood-hit areas

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today approved Rs 87 crore for the relief and restoration measures in flood-hit areas of the state. Omar, who completed his two-day visit to the flood-hit areas on Jammu region, gave the approval for the relief and restoration funds at a meeting in which concerned ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and senior officials of the state government were present.[caption id=“attachment_1056999” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] An official spokesman said Rs 77.50 crore would be used for the restoration of public infrastructure while Rs 9.95 crores have been earmarked for compensation for private property losses. The chief minister directed for completion of restoration of public infrastructure in a time-bound manner and asked the administrative secretaries to convey it down the line so that works are completed at the earliest. Omar also directed for smooth and fast disbursement of compensation to the affected families. He said the assessment for crop and land losses should be finalised speedily so that affected people get compensation in accordance with the set procedures and as per the provisions of law. In response to the demand projected by the Housing Minister Raman Bhalla regarding the funds for restoration of Bahu Fort, the Chief Minister said the restoration of the important heritage place should be flagged as a priority concern. He said the assessment and other details are being assessed and reported by Archaeological Survey of India. “As soon as the report in this regard is received from ASI, a project for comprehensive restoration of the Fort shall be mooted for implementation,” the Chief Minister said. In a presentation, Commissioner-Secretary Revenue Vinod Koul gave full details of loss of human lives, public infrastructure and private property in the devastating floods in the state during August. Koul said as per the preliminary damage reports, as many as 31 people have lost their lives in the floods. He said more than 5,600 houses got damaged fully or partially in the floods while crop loss has taken place on 1,738 hectares. Koul said the total losses have been estimated at about Rs 140 crore in both the divisions of the state. PTI