Saroori called upon Azad seeks financial assistance for quake-hit Doda-Kishtwar.

Demanded Sub-centres for Erstwhile district Doda.

New Delhi, 04 August: - Senior Congress Leader and Former Minister G M Saroori (MLA Inderwal) met Congress leader and Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the capital to discuss latest political, development scenario and relief package for quake hit area Doda-Kishtwar belt of Jammu region. The talks come after two day continuous earthquake jolt Erstwhile Doda district.

Saroori informed Azad that in May this year, Erstwhile district Doda witnessed 37 tremors. In July, there were as many as five quakes in Bhaderwah, Doda, Kishtwar areas. Five quakes and aftershocks have been witnessed in the same area in August and the area has been rattled and has suffered immense damages due to tremor quakes.

Saroori requested Azad to use his good office for getting the relief package sanctioned for renovating damaged houses ahead of winter session and distribution of relief on the pattern adopted in Leh, 2010 flood victims beside called for putting in place the disaster management mechanism to meet any eventuality.

He also demanded Sub-Centres for Erstwhile Doda district as since 1987 no new sub-centre has been established in the erstwhile district Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Kupwara, Baramullah, Anantanag and Udhampure districts. To improve the health facility in the hilliest, remote and backward area Saroori demanded at least 60no Sub-centres for each constituency of Erstwhile district Doda.

Azad gave patient hearing and said in order to augment the rural health services, I had already announced setting up of 600 new health sub-centres in the uncovered areas of the state and soon Sub-Centres will be established and priority will be given to backward uncovered areas of the state.

He also said he (Azad) is in continuous contact with National Disaster Measures Authority (NDMA) and with the experts, for taking preventive measures to save public life and property in the event of natural calamity and the cause behind these quakes in the areas.

Azad assured Saroori that he will talk to Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi regarding relief package for quake hit area of Jammu And Kashmir State.