Gul indicates 3 months free rations in snow, drought hit areas of Erstwhile District Doda.

JAMMU- Asking the Revenue Department to prepare a comprehensive report on the damages caused due to the recent snowfall and drought 2011-12 in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban belt, Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Mubarak Gul on Tuesday indicated that the affected people will be provided free ration for three months under special package.

The Advisor took stock of the dispatches of supplies organised to various snow hit areas at a high level meeting here this afternoon and sought latest status of various restoration works particularly the reopening of roads closed due to heavy snow and landslides.

Legislators G M Saroori, Abdul Majid Wani and Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, Secretary CAPD, Director CAPD and other senior officers attended the meeting.

The Advisor was briefed about the steps taken for providing immediate respite to the stranded people at various places after the road closure, restoration of infrastructure damaged due to heavy snowfall and rains besides resumption of power and water supply in worst affected areas. He was also told about the availability of essential commodities and fuel in the hilly districts besides the steps taken by the administration to clear roads and restore other essential services.

“We have geared up the administration at all levels to meet the challenges posed by the weather vagaries,” he said, adding that the Government was focusing on early resumption of power supply and clearance of roads.

Gul said that Omar Abdullah led government is making strenuous efforts to satiate the urges and aspirations of the people and hoped that the people will cooperate in this endeavor.

Responding to the demands of MLAs, the Advisor directed the concerned to ensure adequate supply of Atta instead of wheat to the rationees in the remote and far-off parts of the erstwhile Doda district as there were no proper grinding services are available.

The MLAs demanded regular helicopter services for Doda and Kishtwar in view of the tough topography and unfavourable weather conditions.

Mr Saroori apprised the Advisor about the grievances of the drought hit people of his area and sought immediate assessment and damage caused in various sectors. For this purpose, he sought deployment of adequate staff of the Revenue Department, Chopper service for stranded passenger, Compensation to fire victims in Village Ligri of Paddar Kishtwar and 3 month free ration.

Mr Kitchloo wanted adequate and immediate supplies of rations and other essentials in the areas like Marwah, Wadwan, Palmar, Warwah, Dachan, Nagsiki, Chatroo, Paddar. He said these areas required a special attention in view of inadvantageous topography.

Mr Majeed Wani informed the Advisor about the sufferings of the people in the areas like Desa, Gunna, Barmar etc which had further accumulated due to snow and rains besides closure of roads at various points. He sought immediate dispatch of various supplies from the nearest points to these areas. He also emphasized the need for proper population survey so that the developmental and other welfare programmes were devised on the basis of realistic statistics.