Srinagar, Sept 6 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday blamed the previous People’s Democratic Party government for failing to implement flood mitigation measures after the 2014 floods and demanded answers about funds that were allocated but left unused.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said that the sub-committee formed to assess flood preparedness had its findings “suppressed” by the PDP leadership. “Why were the findings suppressed?” he asked, referring to the report of the cabinet sub-committee, which included then members such as Altaf Bukhari.
He questioned the manner in which past flood mitigation work was ignored. “If proper work had been done then, the situation would not be like this today,” he said, adding that the failure to increase the flood channel’s carrying capacity and complete pump sheds had worsened the city’s condition.
Omar also raised concerns about the allocation of funds. “The money had come… where was the use of that money?” he asked, criticising the PDP government for not implementing the recommendations made after the floods.
He further said that long-term planning had been neglected. “Now we have to ask for an answer for that,” he said, pointing to the delays and inaction that he said contributed to the current crisis.
While acknowledging the efforts of the administration during the recent floods, he credited local authorities, police and legislators for evacuating people from low-lying areas in time.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“Thanks to the administration, whether civil or police, along with honorable MLAs, they took the necessary steps on time, evacuated people from low-lying areas, kept them in emergency shelters, so that at least we are saved from life-threatening damage,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced that a team from the Government of India would be sent to assess the damage to agriculture, horticulture and other sectors. “A team is being sent from the Government of India,” he said. “We will request them to provide as much relief as they can, so that it can be used properly.”
He warned that this issue must be addressed urgently. “If it is brought, it is unused. Please tell us what they gave us,” he said, criticising previous governments’ handling of relief funds.
He also raised concerns about past flood management measures. “After that, I will get the answer from the centre after 2018. But at least by 2018, tell us the answer of their minister,” he said, demanding explanations for stalled projects. “If they had done the right thing at that time, after the 2014 floods, if the bridging had been done in the right way, if the carrying capacity of the flood channel had been increased in the right way, if the pump sheds had been made here, if their work had been completed, the situation of the city would not be like this today,” he added.(KNS)