Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 28: The State High Court today directed personal appearance of the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, in case he fails to comply with the court directions passed earlier on publishing the revised policy of the Government for payment of compensation to the flood victims of last year.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice N P Vasanthakumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey sought personal appearance of Divisional Commissioner before the court on next date of hearing if he does not publish the revised policy of the Government regarding compensation to the flood victims in Urdu as well as in English newspapers.
“In wake of the direction issued on May 13, authorities were directed to publish the policy arrived at on 24-04-2015. It was directed to be published in Urdu as well as in English newspapers within 10 days. No such publication has been produced before the court. Respondents are directed to publish the same failing which the Divisional Commissioner shall appear in person on Tuesday”, court said.
Court on May 13 had directed the authorities to publish the policy in news papers within a period of 10 days so that the concerned person will come to know about the same and may claim for compensation.
With regard to asking for Aaadhaar cards to the flood victims for their identification and subsequently paying them compensation by the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC), the NDMC in its status report stated that requirement for Adhaar Card is not a precondition for release of assistance and a decision in this regard has been conveyed to the State Government.
On last date of hearing, court had sought response from the Central Government indicating therein as to what is the purpore, spirit and relevance of seeking Aadhaar Cards from the State Government for identification of flood victims to pay them compensation.
“NDMA had been tasked with the release of assistance to the identified beneficiaries of completely damaged houses and till date has released financial assistance under the prime Ministers National Relief Fund (PMNRF) of fully damaged houses”, reads the report.
Court has been informed that till date i.e June 6 an amount of Rs 139.85 crores and fifty thousand has been released as financial assistance to fully damaged houses through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) of the Ministry of Finance.
With regard to severally and partially damaged houses, Rs 68.69 crore stands released by NDMA for 31,369 beneficiaries of these categories even without Aadhaar cards. However, for the purpose of better date management, NDMA would seek to obtain the Aadhaar from the State Government even after the assistance has been released.
Court put up the matter for publishing the Government policy on August 4 as Div Com has been directed to publish the same in the newspapers having Urdu and English versions without any fail.
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