Lashing out at both Central and State governments for ignoring 2014 flood victims, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President and MLC G N Monga Saturday said that almost a year has passed since the devastating deluge but the victims are still crying for rehabilitation.
In a statement to media he said almost a year has passed since the devastating floods struck the Valley. “The Government of India is yet to approve the financial package for rehabilitation of flood hit people proposed by the previous Government. Instead Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 1.25 lakh crore package for Bihar to gain political mileage as elections are round the corner there,” Monga said.
“Most of the flood victims in Kashmir are crying for rehabilitation but unfortunately they are no priority for PDP-BJP coalition. It has created a perception among the flood stricken people here that Jammu and Kashmir is a no priority for Government of India. Government seems hell-bent to add insult to the injuries of flood affected people in the state,” he said.
The JKPCC Vice President added that GoI’s cold shoulder approach towards proposed flood rehabilitation package has added to the gravity of the situation.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“The promises made by PDP and BJP during elections regarding rehabilitation of flood victims have proven a hoax,” he said.
The Congress leader said that government has also failed to take the measure to ensure that 2014 like floods don’t occur again. “The government has failed to take short-term and long-term measures to prevent Kashmir from future floods. Neitehr dredging of river Jehlum has been carried so far nor the embankments have been strengthened. This has left Valley vulnerable to floods in future,” Monga rued.
He also expressed concern over lack of adequate funding for the state’s damaged infrastructure, besides traders, farmers and orchardists, who lost their businesses, agricultural and orchard land and crops in the floods.
“When earthquake struck parts of Kashmir Valley in 2005, then Congress government at the Center without delaying a moment announced a massive rehabilitation package for the victims. AICC president Sonia Gandhi ji and AICC vice president Rahul Gandhiji made it sure that victims get compensated adequately,” Monga said and added for Congress J&K state was always a priority.