Excelsior Correspondent
BHELLA (BHADERWAH), May 23: Welcoming the decision of the Centre to depute a fact-finding team to earthquake hit Chenab Valley districts in the wake of memo on package submitted by the Omar Abdullah led Government, Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana on Thursday exuded confidence that the requisite assistance of Rs 607.77 crore will be released earnestly, enabling the sufferers to construct and renovate their damaged houses ahead of winter.
“The Leh type package is imperative for the affected districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, keeping in view the extent of damages caused by tremors and backwardness of the mountainous hilly region”, Mr Rana said while addressing the people at Thelala and Bhella in Bhaderwah area.
Expecting the memo of package getting immediate nod of the Union Government, Mr Rana said this will go a long way in bringing cheer in the lives of the sufferers and relieving them of their miseries. His optimism stemmed out of the assurance held out by the Prime Minister, to the Chief Minister during his recent meeting in New Delhi. He said Omar Abdullah was working on all the fronts to seek and ensure maximum possible assistance for the hapless people.
The Provincial President, however, said the efforts could prove counter-productive if the genuine sufferers fail to get the compensation, as per actual damages caused to their assets. Keeping this in view, he said, he along with his team has taken up with the State Government the issue regarding displaying of the assessment lists in each Panchayat. “This is in best interests of the suffering people and ensuring transparency and accountability in the distribution of assistance”, he maintained.
Mr Rana said the efforts of the Chief Minister have fructified in the empowerment of the people in decision making with the Panchayati Raj becoming a reality, which stand guarantee for safeguarding their interests. He also referred to the Right to Information Act which gives the people right to ask from anyone and everyone, howsoever big he may be, in the Government.
Speaking on the occasion, former Minister and Central Secretary Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency besides MLA, Abdul Gani Malik lauded the resilience of the tremor hit people in meeting the challenges post earthquake and assured them that all necessary steps would be taken for their rehabilitation. He referred to the measures already taken by the Government in terms of three months free rations and temporary shelters to give some relief to the victims.
District President Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy reiterated his party’s resolve to serve as a bridge between the people and the administration for ensuing availability of basics to the victims of the natural calamity.
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