KL Report
SRINAGAR
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is reported to have presided over an all party meeting to discuss the issue of rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the flood affected population. Details of the decisions, if any, are not available with Kashmir Life, running its mobile emergency news room.
However, state’s opposition PDP is reported to have offered an 11-point plan which is reproduced here:
1. All Party meet to appeal to the people of India and the International community to send relief and rehabilitation materials for the people of J&K.
2. Create a network for collection of relief across the country. The following could be persuaded to make relief collection centers:
a) Resident Commissions of all state governments
b) Embassies of all countries
c) J&K Bank branches outside the state
3. Use Mohalla and Masjid Committees for distribution of relief. These should be the preferred distribution networks over other ad hoc channels.
4. Make arrangements for meeting demand for cash by setting up cash management centers with banks led by the J&K Bank. Get the J&K Bank and SBI to start mobile ATMs.
5. Make going back home safer for the people by distributing house safety kits containing disinfectants etc and clear instruction of dos and don’ts before entering their homes.
6. Draw up a fruit evacuation plan. The apple picking season starts in a week and it is important to have this transported to outside markets.
6. Make an appeal to all the MPs to contribute 5% of their MPLAD towards relief in J&K.
8. Persuade/convince all Ministers, MLAs, and senior government employees to contribute 10% of their salary for the next three months for relief.
9. Ensure that all financial contributions made towards relief in J&K qualify for tax exemption.
10. Ensure that all financial relief, including the Rs 1,100 crore announced by the PM, is put into the contingency reserve fund and not diverted to meet other liabilities.
11. Disaster Management expertise and support by foreign countries should be facilitated by GOI.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already announced Rs 3.5 lakh relief for next of kin of those killed in the rains and floods, which will include Rs 2 lakh relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rs 75,000 for damaged houses as first installment, 50 kg ration free of cost for flood victims per month for six months and kept Rs 100 crores each at the disposal of divisional administration of Jammu and Kashmir for urgent relief works.
Reports suggest that the meeting was attended by Mehbooba Mufti, Yousuf Tarigami, Saifudin Soz, Jugal Kishore, Sajjad Kichloo, Hakim Yaseen, and Hassan Mir. Apart from expressing condolence over the loss of lives in the unprecedented floods, the meeting has put on record their appreciation for the efforts made by various security agencies and the NGOs.
The meeting issued a joint appeal to individuals and organisations within and outside J&K to help the affected people in “every possible way”. A resolution was also passed that firmly resolved to rebuild the lives, livelihoods, private properties and public infrastructure. A report said Omar informed the meeting that the government has details about 129 deaths in Jammu region and 35 in Kashmir, so far.
