Welcoming the observations of the Parliamentary Panel on Environment and Forests that the compensation granted to the flood victims in Kashmir was ‘totally unacceptable and inadequate’, Member Parliament, Mr Tariq Hameed Karra today said the Government of India should without any further delay approve special relief and rehabilitation package for the State.
“Now that a Parliamentary panel with constitutional authority has censured the Centre for its lackadaisical approach, the Government of India must reach out to the flood-affected people in Kashmir with adequate and tangible relief and rehabilitation measures,” Mr Karra said in a statement issued here today.
He said as has been rightly pointed out by the Parliamentary Panel, a massive effort and plenty of resources are needed by the State Government to rebuild the flood-devastated infrastructure and revive the flood-affected livelihood. “The September 2014 deluge left behind a trail of destruction affecting every sector including housing, trade, business, agriculture, horticulture and public infrastructure,” he said and added that only a special financial package and a concerted effort would help the State rebuild flood-affected infrastructure and put the slumped economy back on track.
Mr Karra said even the Supreme Court had earlier ordered that the flood-damaged houses restored as “it concerned their right to life under article 21 of the constitution.” “But unfortunately, despite running from the pillar to post, the flood-affected people in Kashmir seem to have been left at the God’s mercy,” he said.
Mr Karra said that most of the affected people were not covered by insurance and they are the worst sufferers. He sought liberal and extraordinary package from the central government for rehabilitation of the flood affected and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and private properties, including residential houses. He also sought special package for traders and business community and horticulturists, farmers and others affected for compensation for the huge losses incurred due to floods and torrential rains.