Srinagar, Nov 22 (KNS): Former Minister and MLA Amirakadal Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has urged the government to take immediate steps for providing makeshift shelters, free ration and residential plots for rehabilitation of the fire hit families of Dalgate who have been forced to take shelter under open sky after the devastating blaze of on Monday morning.
In a statement issued to KNS, expressing solidarity with the bereaved family of one of the fire victims who lost his life in the blaze, Bukhari urged the administration to extend all possible help to affected families as most of them live from hand to mouth.
The former minister observed that the freezing temperature has added to the pathetic condition of these fire hit families as they have no alternative but to live in a miserable environment.
“I appeal Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to order for immediate measures for the rehabilitation of these families by way of providing them six months free ration, fuel, makeshift shelters or government rent for their residential accommodation so that they are able to cope up with the winter vagaries,” Bukhari remarked.
He said these blaze hit families have not been rendered only homeless but they are not in a position even to purchase ration or other essential commodities from the open markets.
“Most of the families affected by this shattering fire incident are Below Poverty Line and have been affected so badly that they cannot even purchase their daily use items. I urge upon the chief minister to address their miseries by providing them free ration and other essential commodities including kerosene for at least six months,” Bukhari pleaded.
The former minister said that almost all these blaze hit families are supposed to take care of their ailing old, little children, toddlers and infants who are presently living in informal settlements which are very cold and grossly inhabitable.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“I call upon the Honb’le Chief Minister that these fire hit families be provided free residential plots outside their vicinity. Dalgate area is not only congested but in past also due to its narrow lanes and by-lanes the fire department faced immense difficulties in controlling many such catastrophic mishaps,” Bukhari said, adding that in order to mitigate their sufferings permanently and to prevent such menacing tragedies in future, the chief minister should order for formulation of a proper resettlement plan for these victims.
Bukhari said that till such a rehabilitation plan is announced and chalked out, the administration must provide makeshift shelters among these hapless families which are not in a position to cope up with the winter vagaries.
“How can these fire hit families afford to live in open in the chilly winter and fast declining temperature has already sent shivers down the spine in Kashmir? As the ailing old and little children in these families have started bearing the brunt the administration must expedite the process of their rehabilitation and address their sufferings at an earliest.”
Bukhari also urged the authorities to facilitate immediate issuance of permissions for reconstruction of the residential houses among those families who are interested in reconstruction of their houses in or outside their vicinity. (KNS)