SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that efforts are being made to restore the National Highway and the residential area in Ramban affected by the recent landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
Talking to reporters, the Chief Minister said that he is himself visiting Ramban today to assess the ground situation and will chair a meeting in this regard.
“In some Ramban areas, the situation has worsened. I had sent the Deputy Chief Minister and two other local MLAs to the spot to assess the situation,” he said, adding that efforts are being made to restore the highway immediately, as well as the residential areas affected by the landslides.
The Chief Minister added that arrangements are being made for relief, while the PM relief fund and other funds will be tapped so that people receive compensation.
However, he said, he wants to assure people that there is no shortage of essentials and there is no need for hoarding. “The government and officials have been strictly directed to act tough against black marketing and unnecessary price hikes. Police will also be involved to act against such persons, and if needed, arrests will be made in this regard.”
He appealed to people to inform the government in case of black marketing.
He added that the Srinagar–Jammu highway is presently closed, but if the need arises, Mughal Road will be used to bring in essentials.
Moreover, the Chief Minister, while replying to a query, said that the Supreme Court has been authorised to review the actions taken by the Centre or any other government. “Didn’t we approach SC on the Article 370 issue? The Parliament’s action was reviewed. Was not the emergency declared during Indira Gandhi’s tenure challenged in the court? Approaching the court should not be politicised. The court has its own jurisdiction and the legislature has its own.”
“In the Assembly, we have done whatever we could have done and later we approached the court, where we have got some relief for now.
There are no negative results. At least the SC, while discussing the case, has compelled the Centre to move backwards. For now, the interference of non-Muslims has been stopped, and self-declared waqf is not being stopped. Let the SC do its job. We will wait for its verdict,” he added. (KNO)
