Seven months after devastating floods hit Jammu & Kashmir, the PDP-BJP coalition on Wednesday began a multi-phased rehabilitation process by issuing relief cheques in favour of low-income survivors. The amounts were disbursed from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Around 650 flood-affected traders from Srinagar district, whose annual turnout has been less than Rs5 lakh and were not covered under property insurance, received the relief cheques from Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed here. Around 32 destitute women, identified by the administration, out of 400 flood-hit impoverished families, also received the start-up package.
The flood-affected people say that the relief packages are discussed more in media and political statements than actually reaching to the victims. Apart from insurance claims, most of the flood-victims have received meager amounts as package. However, Mufti announced that he would not rest until every victim is adequately compensated. “I cannot rest till I compensate one and all. I have seen destruction and hopelessness surrounding us. Revival of assets and income will help rebuild lives of those who losteverything in floods,” he said.
Mufti said that the uninsured traders and shopkeepers with annual turnover up to Rs5 lakh will be provided Rs1 lakh compensation while as those with turnover less than Rs10 lakh will be given cash assistance of Rs1.50 lakh by the Government. The uninsured traders whose turnover was more than Rs10 lakh, will be given cash assistance of Rs2 lakh, he added. He said the Government would pursue a Comprehensive Flood Management Programme to save the Valley from future threats.