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Srinagar, Oct 11 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the state government to immediately arrange Rs 113 crore required for disbursing second and third installments of compensation to survivors of the devastating earthquake of October 8 last year.

A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Bashir Ahmed Khan and Justice Bashir Ahmed Kirmani, observed that the state government has already taken up the matter of releasing the required amount with the Centre.

The court reiterated the directions to the Union Ministries concerned, including Finance.

It was expected that second and the third installments out of the funds committed by the Centre would be released at the earliest for its disbursement before the onset of winter, the court said.

The bench directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir and Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla and Kupwara to expedite the release of second and third installments in accordance with the government's policy and complete the process before December 20.

UNI AG VD PM1909