By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar : Even as the NDA government comes under fire for its neglect of ongoing floods in Assam, a year after devastating floods of Kashmir, the affected people are still anticipating the much hyped special assistance package of Rs 44000 crore approved by then NC-Congress led Jammu and Kashmir government whose proposal was submitted to BJP led Central Government for the earliest disbursement .
The hopes were running quite high after Prime Minister, Narendra Modi last year choose to spend Diwali among flood victims of Kashmir which made people to believe that the Central Government was keen to provide special assistance as proposed by the State Government to the valley.
But the grim reality remains a year after the floods, Valley still waits for central funds to reconstruct and rebuild its lives back on the track.
The first anniversary of floods on September 7 this year was marked by a shutdown, protests by traders bodies and as usual house arrest of separatist leaders.
The shutdown call was given by Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgam of various trade associations which was supported by various Separatist factions and the principal opposition party in the State Assembly, National Conference to protest against Central and State government’s failure to provide financial assistance to people affected by the last year’s deadly floods.
The State Government had imposed undeclared curfew in main parts of Srinagar city especially the Lal Chowk so, as to thwart the protest demonstration of trade unions and those who tried to protest were taken into custody in Kothibagh Police Station.
For Umar, the last year floods proved nemesis for his newly started garment business in Bemina, Srinagar as he suffered huge losses and is still waiting for relief from government so that he can once again restart his shop to support his family.
“We had high hopes after Modi came to Kashmir on many occasions. Before his arrival there would be many rumors in Media that Modi is going to announce package but unfortunately a year has elapsed and package is nowhere in sight,” Umar told TwoCircles.net
“We are still hopeful that our State Government will pressurize the Central Government to give in the promised Rs. 44000 crore to the state,” he added
Another flood victim Manzoor Ahmed Mir, resident of Pampore still struggles to construct his fully damaged house, due to which he is forced to divert major chunk of his income on a rented accommodation.
“A year after flood we are still waiting for relief money which the State and the Central Government had promised us for construction of our houses so that we can live a normal life again. The government did pay me Rs. 75,000 in relief and compensation but the whole amount got utilized in removing the rubble of my collapsed house. How can a person build even a two-room house with such a minimum amount in this time of inflation? ” asked Manzoor.
It is important to mention here that the coalition of National Conference-Congress led State Government before expiry of its term had proposed Rs. 44000 Crore to the Central Government for the state as part of the flood rehabilitation. Ironically, against the projected demand of Rs. 44,000 crore for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected infrastructure, the Centre has after a delay of 10 months announced a paltry Rs. 2,400 crore.
Fayaz Ahmed, cart puller and a resident of Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar was running from pillar to post to get funds from the government so that he could start the construction of his fully- crumbled house but a year after floods he still waits for relief so, as to raise a two room house in which he can accommodate his joint family.
“I was paid just Rs. 70,000 by the government in which I couldn’t even construct a bathroom and constructing a two room house is a distant dream. We have been cheated by the both the governments state as well as the Centre,” Fayaz told TCN.
Meanwhile J&K High Court division bench headed by Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar, while hearing the public interest litigation on the floods of 2014 directed the Central Government to produce the policy for grant of relief to flood victims and also submit its compliance report on the Rs 44,000-crore relief package sought by J&K within one week.
On the other hand, Chief Minister of state, Mufti Mohammad Syed while speaking to his cabinet ministers on first anniversary of floods said , “I hope that the Centre will partner with the State Government in not only reviving the livelihood of the flood-affected people but also in rebuilding a safe and stable Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
“State Government has got down to a time-bound plan of action for providing relief to the uninsured flood-affected traders and destitute, to help them revive their livelihood. Further, the efforts are also intensified to ensure that such catastrophes don’t recur in future,” he added.
Evidently, then NC-Congress led J&K Government had assessed damage of over Rs. 1 lakh crore in different sectors of the economy which included Rs. 35,000 crore loss to the government infrastructure and structures including residential houses. Due to floods the loss to the shops, business establishments and tourism sector was estimated at Rs. 65,000 crore.