Demand for Natural Calamity Declaration
Senior Congress leader Shahnawaz Choudhary on Sunday urged the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to declare the widespread rain-induced damage in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri a 'natural calamity.' Addressing a press conference in Surankote, the worst-hit area of Poonch district, Choudhary termed the scale of disaster 'unprecedented.' He expressed disappointment that neither Chief Minister Omar Abdullah nor Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had visited the affected areas to assess the situation or offered condolences to families that lost loved ones.
Extent of Damage and Casualties
Since July 19, continuous heavy rainfall has triggered severe flooding and landslides, leading to at least 18 deaths in Poonch district alone. Five persons remain missing. Hundreds of families have been rendered homeless, with more than 100 houses completely damaged and over 200 houses partially damaged. Around 18 families have lost their land entirely, leaving them without any source of livelihood. Choudhary noted that the existing compensation norms under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) are wholly inadequate to address the losses suffered by the victims.
Specific Demands for Relief Package
Choudhary demanded a special relief package comprising Rs 20 lakh for every fully damaged house, Rs 10 lakh for every partially damaged house, Rs 5 lakh for families who lost their household belongings, and Rs 20 lakh as ex gratia to the next of kin of each deceased person. He urged the Centre to sanction a special financial package for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in the affected areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts. He also demanded a substantial allocation from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund exclusively for the Pir Panjal region to ensure timely rehabilitation.
Criticism of Political Response
Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Choudhary said the party failed to raise the issue forcefully before the Centre or secure any meaningful relief for the victims. 'The people of the Pir Panjal region feel abandoned at a time when they need the government’s support the most,' he said. He assured that the Congress party would continue to raise the voice of the victims at every forum until adequate compensation, proper rehabilitation, and long-term reconstruction measures are ensured for every affected family.
Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Needs
Highlighting the urgent need for reconstruction, Choudhary demanded immediate restoration of damaged roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure to reconnect remote villages. He also called for a detailed assessment of damaged educational institutions and the reconstruction of all affected schools at the earliest so that children’s education is not disrupted. The Congress leader reiterated that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the devastation caused by the unprecedented rains in the border districts.
