Accept international aid: Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 13: Ruling National Conference president Farooq Abdullah today asked the Centre to accept international aid for reconstruction of flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah appealed to President and Prime Minister of the country to accept international aid for speeding up the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood-affected State, a statement issued by National Conference said.
“By accepting international aid, the dignity and honour of the country will not be affected as foreign aid has been accepted in the past when natural calamities hit other States of the country,” Abdullah said.
The former Union Minister said it was unfortunate that the Centre has not yet paid attention to the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people in the State.
“The winter has set in earlier than usual which has compunded the problems of the flood victims,” he said.
Abdullah appealed to the Government to extend the provision of free ration to flood-affected people from the present six-month period to one year.