Jammu, Jul 20: Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation, led by the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Monday visited the flood-affected areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts and met the families impacted by the unfortunate disaster.
The BJP delegation took stock of the situation and interacted with the affected families in the worst-impacted areas of Surankote, Dharara, Sangala and other affected villages in Poonch, followed by Rajouri town and adjoining flood-affected localities.
The delegation, besides LoP, comprised former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, MLA and former minister Sham Lal Sharma, J&K BJP vice president and former MLC ShehnazGanie, J&K BJP general secretary Gopal Mahajan, MLA Mohan Lal (MLA), J&K BJP ST Morcha president Abdul Gani and J&K BJP spokesperson Zorawar Singh.
During the visit, Sunil Sharma listened to the concerns of the affected people, understood the challenges being faced by them and conducted a detailed review of the situation on the ground. He expressed concern over the hardships faced by the affected families and assured them of continued support and assistance.
The LOP directed the district administration to work with urgency and ensure that all possible help reached the affected families without delay. He emphasised the importance of efficient rescue operations, immediate relief assistance, restoration of essential services and a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to help people rebuild their lives.
Sunil Sharma further stated that a detailed report of the situation in Poonch and Rajouri, including the extent of damage, losses suffered by the people and requirements for relief and rehabilitation, would be submitted to the central government. He said that the concerns and demands of the affected families would be brought to the notice of the appropriate authorities so that necessary assistance and support could be ensured at the earliest.
He added that the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi always stood with the people during times of crisis and that all possible support would be sought through proper coordination with concerned agencies.
Sharma stated that, in this difficult time, all agencies must work in close coordination with sensitivity and commitment so that affected families could receive timely support and relief. He further stressed that the concerns of the people of Poonch and Rajouri must be addressed on priority and every possible effort should be made for their recovery and rehabilitation.
The devastating flash floods and landslides triggered by incessant heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, claimed 18 precious lives, left several persons missing and caused widespread destruction to residential houses, roads, bridges, agricultural land and public infrastructure across Poonch and Rajouri districts.
In Rajouri, the delegation, accompanied by BJP district president Dev Raj Sharma and former MLC VibodhGupta, visited the flood-affected localities including Bus Stand, Rampur, Bela, ShivalayMandir, Anandpur Ashram and the slum areas near Dussehra Ground. They interacted with affected families, traders and local residents to assess the extent of damage caused by the flash floods.
Later, the delegation held a meeting with BJP party workers and prominent citizens to take stock of the extensive financial losses suffered by the business community and residents of Rajouri town. The leaders assured them that their concerns would be strongly projected before the appropriate authorities to ensure adequate compensation, early restoration of infrastructure and comprehensive rehabilitation.
The delegation urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to immediately launch a comprehensive relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction programme, ensuring adequate ex-gratia assistance, financial compensation, temporary and permanent shelter, uninterrupted supply of food, drinking water, medical care, restoration of road connectivity, electricity and all other essential civic amenities.
They emphasised that every affected family must receive relief without discrimination and without delay. The leaders also called upon the UT government to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the losses suffered by affected households, farmers, traders and small businesses and ensure prompt disbursement of compensation.
The BJP leaders appreciated the relentless efforts of the Indian Army, Police, SDRF, NDRF, Civil Administration, Fire and Emergency Services and local volunteers, working tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to rescue stranded residents and restore normalcy.
Taking serious note of the advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continued rainfall with heavy showers until July 22, the delegation urged the district administrations and all concerned departments to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautionary and preventive measures.
They emphasised the need to strengthen emergency response systems, pre-position rescue teams and machinery at vulnerable locations, ensure the availability of essential supplies and make adequate arrangements for evacuation, shelter and medical assistance in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas to prevent any further loss of life or property.
The delegation, however, criticised the National Conference-led UT government for its inadequate presence on the ground during one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in recent years. The leaders observed that while the people were battling the fury of nature, the government’s presence and response had failed to meet the expectations of the affected families.
They urged the government to personally monitor relief, rehabilitation and restoration works and ensure that every affected household receives timely assistance.
The BJP delegation also demanded a comprehensive relief, rehabilitation and infrastructure restoration package under the ongoing SASCI (Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment) for the flood-affected districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
The leaders sought immediate financial assistance for the reconstruction of damaged houses, roads, bridges, schools, healthcare institutions, irrigation facilities, drinking water infrastructure and other public assets. They further urged the Government of India to sanction additional developmental works under SASCI to strengthen disaster-resilient infrastructure, undertake flood protection measures and safeguard the vulnerable border districts against future natural calamities.
The visiting delegation reiterated its commitment to standing with the people of Poonch and Rajouri and assured that every possible assistance and support would be extended to the affected families. Their concerns would continue to be raised before the concerned authorities to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation.
