Govt blind to Poonch flood victims' misery: Dr. Farooq Abdullah

‘There has been no relief, rehabilitation efforts whatsoever’

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori)

Srinagar 26-Apr-2015

National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah has expressed disappointment and dismay at the State Government's apathy towards flood victims in Poonch and said there had been non relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims in Poonch whatsoever. Castigating the State Government for failing to rise up to the occasion by not providing succor and relief to flood victims in Poonch and surrounding areas, Dr. Farooq in a statement to KNS said, “Fact that the State Government hasn't even talked about the flood victims in Poonch is a telling indictment of their insensitivity towards the people of this area. There has been no interface between the State Government and the flood victims in Poonch. Even the local administration I am told has not taken cognizance of repeated pleas by the flood victims to assess damages and provide emergency relief and rehabilitation. This is extremely unfortunate and unacceptable.”

“This does not behoove an elected Government. They have been elected to solve the problems of the people of the State, not to turn a blind eye towards their miseries. Various departments of the Administration should have combined forces and mounted a coordinated effort to address the suffering of the flood victims but as it appears - this clearly doesn't seem to be a priority for them,” he said.Numerous public delegations and representatives from Poonch had approached the National Conference President and sought his intervention in this matter. 

“From all account that I have heard, the Government is missing when it comes to flood victims in Poonch and it has been quite a while since the Government has taken over. The first thing they should have done is to resolve the pressing issues of the flood victims many of whom have been displaced and have suffered colossal losses to their homes and businesses. I implore the State Government to shun its indifference towards the flood victims all over the State and realize that the rehabilitation of flood victims is the biggest challenge that faces us. This should have been their primary and most important priority from the very first day of their term in power. I hope they rise up to the occasion and pay heed to the woes of the flood victims and I hope the Central Government also responds to the long pending proposed flood relief and rehabilitation package sent by the previous Government to New Delhi,” Dr Farooq added.