Jammu and Kashmir Congress Reports Colossal Damage from Floods, Calls for Urgent Rehabilitation Package

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has reported significant damage due to recent floods, urging the government to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation package for affected individuals and sectors. The current financial support is deemed insufficient.

The Jammu and Kashmir Congress has highlighted the severe damage caused by recent heavy rains and floods in the Union territory. They have called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to ensure the administration responds effectively to the crisis. JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra expressed solidarity with those affected and urged for a comprehensive rehabilitation package.

Karra criticised the Rs 209 crore compensation as inadequate given the extensive damage. He stressed the need for a thorough rehabilitation and relocation plan for those impacted. "The compensation or financial support of Rs 209 crore is a joke in view of the intense damage. We demand a comprehensive package for rehabilitation as well as relocation of the affected," he stated.

Impact on Agriculture and Infrastructure

The closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway has severely affected fruit growers, with significant losses reported in horticulture and transport sectors. Karra noted that stranded trucks carrying perishable goods face long delays, worsening the situation for growers and transporters. He described the highway as a failed project, unable to withstand adverse weather conditions.

Karra suggested focusing on the Mughal Road as an alternative route for transporting fruits and essential goods between the valley and Jammu. He also raised concerns about the timing of highway closures, suggesting they often coincide with critical periods for fruit transportation.

Concerns Over Administrative Response

Karra expressed disappointment over the administration's lack of proactive measures during this crisis. He urged senior officers to engage directly with affected areas rather than making decisions from their offices. "The senior officers should go to the ground rather than deciding things in their cosy offices," he remarked.

He also called for writing off KCC loans for farmers and providing them with interest-free loans to rebuild their livelihoods. Emphasising empathy, he stated that both local and central governments need to understand the trauma faced by people post-floods.

Challenges in Key Sectors

The JKPCC chief highlighted challenges faced by various industries this year, including tourism, mutton, and now fruit and transport sectors. He mentioned that tourism was impacted by an attack in Pahalgam, while the mutton industry suffered due to a scandal involving rotten meat.

Karra expressed concern over these sectors being targeted or suffering consecutively, affecting revenue generation in Jammu and Kashmir. "Our revenue generating sectors are suffering or made to suffer one by one," he added.

Disagreement Over Highway Management

Regarding Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's suggestion that the UT government should manage the highway if the Centre cannot, Karra disagreed. He praised BRO's expertise in handling such roads, stating they possess infrastructure capabilities beyond what state governments can offer.

Reflecting on his experiences, Karra noted he had never witnessed such extensive damage before. He warned that conditions might worsen in coming months if not addressed promptly.

With inputs from PTI