Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 27: Over 300 people were killed and 25 suffered injuries during September 2014 in floods in the J&K State.
In a written reply to the question of National Conference member Dr Shehnaz Ganai in the Upper House today, Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, Sayed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari said that due to floods in September in the State, over 300 people have died. He said more than 25 persons were injured during this devastation.
Mr Bukhari further said that apart from damage caused to 26,1361 structures, farm sector of 3.27 lakh hectares of agricultural land and 3.96 lakh hectares of horticulture land also suffered damage.
He disclosed that under public sector, 6,910 kms of road length, 559 bridges, 3,063 PHE schemes, 6,423 irrigation works and schemes, 4,202 sub-stations, 11,671 kms of electric conductors, besides 6,466 other buildings suffered damages.
“The Government is contemplating to get the Disaster Management Plan for whole State approved by the Disaster Management Authority and in future all the disasters including floods be effectively dealt as per the state disaster management plan,” the minister maintained.
The World Bank has agreed to fund USD 25 million for capacity building, setting up of emergency operating system and strengthening of state disaster management authority.
The Government further said that over 2.60 lakh houses and 75,000 business establishments have been damaged in the floods. As many as 2,61,361 houses have been damaged during September floods in the State.
Basharat Bukhari in a written reply to another question of NC member Bashir Ahmed Veeri in Legislative Council said that apart from this 75,000 business establishment have also got damaged in the floods.
The Government has put damaged houses under two categories for grant of relief, he said, adding the verification of assessment of loss is in progress.
So far, damage and loss in respect of 35,569 business establishments has been assessed, he said adding the figures of such establishment with loss suffered will be available on completion of verification.
No relief has been paid to the business establishments and when the funds are approved by the Union Government for special package, the payment shall be made to the owners of these establishments.
He disclosed that in Anantnag district, a total 14,489 houses have been damaged and an amount of Rs 16.30 crore has been disbursed by the Government in Bijbehara, Anantnag and Homeshalibugh constituencies.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel