Omar meets PM, seeks relief package for quake-hit people

NEW DELHI, May 18: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and requested a special package for earthquake-hit districts of Doda and Kishtawar in Jammu region.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister apprised the Prime Minister about the matters pertaining to peace and development in the State, according to a statement issued by the State Government.

“The focus of the discussion was recent earthquake which hit various parts of districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban,” it said, adding Omar sought a package similar to Leh cloudburst package of 2010 for this area.

“The Chief Minister, while giving details of the damages to the large number of public and private properties, demanded the package of relief for the affected people on the pattern the union Government had sanctioned for Leh cloudburst survivors,” the statement said.

The Prime Minister had announced a package of Rs 125 crore for Leh in 2010 for relief and rehabilitation of the affected people in the area.

Highlighting the need for such relief, the Chief Minister said the earthquake sufferers of erstwhile Doda district which include Bhaderwah, Kishtwar and Ramban deserve the package for the backwardness of the area and poorer economic status of the people. (AGENCIES)