Veeri for timely disbursement of cash assistance, relief to migrants

JAMMU: Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Abdul Rehman Veeri today said that state government has laid special stress on timely disbursement of relief among the migrants by way of streamlining the existing procedure including bifurcation of families.

The Minister was speaking at a meeting convened to review the status of relief distribution and other facilities being provided to Kashmiri and Jammu migrants putting up in various relief camps.

“There should be no delay in providing cash assistance and ration supply to the migrant families as majority of them is dependent on what the government is providing to them,” he asserted.

Reviewing the amenities provided to the migrant colonies, the Minister asked Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner to upgrade the power, water and medical facilities in all habitations.  He also stressed on upgradation of educational facilities, besides carrying out immediate repair and renovation of migrant quarters at Jagti and other places to ensure safe stay of residents in these camps.

The Minister was informed that five medical centres are functional in various migrant camps, while 40-bedded hospital has been constructed by Relief Organization at Jagti for providing better healthcare facilities to the migrants. Additionally, a Corpus fund has also been created for reimbursing medical expenses to the migrant patients during hospitalization.

It was further informed that from November 2016, Jammu migrants are also being provided cash assistance at par with Kashmiri migrants. It was informed that special Aadhaar camps were held for enrolling left out migrants under UIDAI which has facilitated DBT transfers in their accounts.

The Minister directed the concerned officers to conduct a survey for collecting authentic data of the residential status of all beneficiaries staying in the quarters in migrant camps.

It was also informed in the meeting that family bifurcation process has been simplified and relief was being provided by crediting the amount directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

The Minister was also informed that the department will conduct special drive to update the records by correcting names and addresses of beneficiaries.

The Minister directed that DPR should be prepared for construction of Administrative Block at Muthi for the convenience of employees, besides equipping all the Zonal offices of the Organisation with ultra-modern facilities for computerisation of records and smooth conduct of other routine works.

The Minister further directed for streamlining working of the organization and said that strict action would be taken against the erring officers if any complaint regarding delay in relief disbursement or misbehavior is received.

Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants) ML Raina, Assistant Commissioner Sudershan Kumar, ACRs and other officers of the organisation were present in the meeting.

Later, the Minister also chaired a meeting of Evacuee Property Department to review the progress of works taken up in Jammu,    retrieval of encroached EP land, revenue collection, expenditure and computerisation of records.

Custodian General, J&K Ajaz Ahmed Bhat informed the Minister that the department has generated an income of Rs. 168.33 crore, including Rs 81.87 crore in Jammu division and Rs 86.46  crore in Kashmir division, during the last five years on account of monthly rentals/premium etc.

The Minister directed the officers to prepare inventory of Evacuee land and property to use it for creating assets.

He stressed on development of orchards of evacuee land  by plantation of high breed/density plants so that these become income generating assets for the government in the days to come.

The Minister also directed the Custodians, Jammu and Srinagar to   revise rent  being  charged form  the allottee/lease holders  in respect of evacuee property in accordance with relevant provisions of   EP Act.

Custodian, Jammu Mushtaq Ahmed Malik, Custodian, Kashmir Bashir Ahmed Mir, Deputy Custodians, Executive Engineers and other officers of the department were present in the meeting.