JAMMU, Sept 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today announced five marlas land at a new location for the people where land has sunk or is sinking damaging their houses and structures following heavy rains saying he has asked the administration to draft proposal for consideration and approval of the Cabinet.Speaking to reporters and brief address to gathering at Kalaban in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district where several people have been affected due to sinking of land, the Chief Minister said allotment of land and construction of at least two rooms under different Government schemes for the affected people has to be done before onset of winters as people can’t be kept in tents in extreme cold.“The Deputy Commissioners have been asked to draft proposal for allotment of five marlas land to the people whose houses have sunk or are sinking at alternate area. They will be given funds under different Government schemes so that they can construct at least two rooms, if not full house, before the winter as the people can’t be kept in tents during December. Rest can be done in March-April,” Omar said.
“Wherever the land has sunk or is sinking, people cannot be resettled there again. They will need to be resettled somewhere else, at a new location. The Government already has a scheme under which landless people are given five marlas of Government land. Following the same pattern, we have asked the administration to prepare a proposal, which will be presented to the Cabinet for careful consideration and approval,” he added.
As an immediate relief, the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 38 lakh for the affected families in addition to the Rs 50 lakh already sanctioned under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He reiterated that it is the Government’s duty to extend maximum possible assistance to the people during such difficult times.
He emphasized that the Government stands firmly with the affected families and will ensure all necessary measures for their rehabilitation.
Reaching out to the people of land subsidence-hit Kalaban, Omar expressed confidence that the Centre will extend a good package to Jammu and Kashmir like the one given to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand. Since September 11, over 1,000 people have been affected, with more than 95 houses, a graveyard, and a mosque damaged. Residents have been relocated to safe shelters.
“We also maintain communication with the Central Government, and they have constituted a team which visited different areas of Jammu and Kashmir. We will present our demands in front of them and hope that a good package will be given to Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said.
He assessed the damage caused by land subsidence in Kalaban village in Mendhar tehsil, near the Line of Control (LoC).
“It is our duty in this difficult time to help people as much as possible. This time, the rains have caused unprecedented damage in Jammu and Kashmir due to floods and landslides,” the Chief Minister said, adding there is hardly any district in Jammu and Kashmir that has not suffered damage from floods, landslides, or heavy rains.
“Whatever financial resources we have, we will use them to ensure relief reaches the people,” he added.
Omar met the affected people, listened to their grievances and assured them of full Government support. He also directed officials to provide all necessary facilities for boarding and lodging.
The officials said an elaborate presentation was made before the CM on the disaster and the measures taken by the administration in its aftermath.
Omar was informed that vehicles have been deployed for transporting people and their belongings from the affected areas.
According to the officials, teams are conducting damage assessments to identify high-risk zones and mitigate further damage to life and property.
A temporary control room has been set up at the sub-division level to coordinate relief efforts through the administration, NGOs and volunteers, the officials said.
The Chief Minister was informed that 77 tents and 100 tarpaulin sheets have been provided to the displaced families for immediate relief. Relief camps have been established at Panchayat Ghars of Kalaban and Faizabad.
Kalaban is one of the 11 villages that faced land subsidence in Jammu, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri and Reasi districts during the post-monsoon period, resulting in damage to over 200 houses and the displacement of more than 3,000 people.
