Omar reaffirms focus on Ramban victims despite Pahalgam tragedy
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reviewed the situation and progress of relief and restoration efforts in the flood-affected areas of Ramban district. Touring the severely impacted Dharmkund area and chairing a high-level review meeting in Ramban, the Chief Minister assessed the extent of the damages and the ongoing response operations.
Speaking on the occasion, Omar Abdullah emphasised that his primary purpose was to reassure the people of Ramban that the government stands firmly with them during this challenging time. He reiterated that despite the tragic incident in Pahalgam, the government continues to prioritise relief and rehabilitation work in Ramban.
“My primary purpose in coming here was to assure the people of Ramban that, although there was a very serious incident in Pahalgam, we have not forgotten Ramban,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that he did not want the people of Ramban to feel that all government attention was now focused solely on Pahalgam. “Therefore, as soon as my work in Srinagar eased, I immediately came to Ramban, met my colleagues, met the administration, and reviewed the situation here,” he said.
The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the district administration, particularly the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police, for their swift and coordinated response, which led to the restoration of traffic on NH-44 within 24 hours, alongside simultaneous rescue and restoration operations.
He noted visible improvements along the National Highway and other affected regions, resulting in smoother vehicular movement and relief for stranded and affected populations.
Stressing the importance of long-term rehabilitation, the Chief Minister directed the district administration to identify land for resettling displaced families and to allot five marlas of land to each affected family. He further stated that disaster management planning for Jammu and Kashmir would be reoriented to address the climatic changes witnessed in recent years.
“I have instructed the administration and the Deputy Commissioner that many people have not only lost their houses but also the land on which their houses stood. I have directed the DC to identify an alternate site, and once that is done, we will provide plots of five marlas of land to the affected families,” he said.
Responding to concerns raised by public representatives, the Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner to submit a proposal for providing three months of free ration to residents of the affected areas. He also instructed officials to assess the need for a special relief package for individuals who have suffered commercial losses and damages to shops and business establishments, supplementing the assistance available under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
“Under SDRF norms, commercial losses are not compensated. Nevertheless, I have asked the DC to prepare a proposal under SDRF provisions—whether for relief to commercial establishments or for providing free ration to those who have suffered the most. We are committed to approving these proposals once submitted,” Omar Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister informed that funds under the SDRF have already been released and assured liberal financial support for relief, rehabilitation, and restoration activities in Ramban. He emphasised that the government is working through a phased approach focusing on rescue, recovery, restoration, and rebuilding to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
J & K