Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, who called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here today, said that they have requested the latter to declare the disaster in the state as a national calamity.
"A delegation of leaders met Prime Minister Modi and informed him about the damage of property and infrastructure. We have requested him to declare it a national calamity, and to provide support to the state government in accordance with that," he said.
Rather, said that the delegation has requested Prime Minister Modi to provide special rehabilitation package for housing.
"We have requested the Prime Minister to provide special rehabilitation package for housing. We also said that the Banks should also be directed to prepare housing projects and provide housing loans to the people," he added.
Rather further said that they have requested the government of India that a team of hydrologists should be sent to the state and experts of river management should also be sent so that they can prepare a plan of action, and such disasters could be prevented in future.
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Apart from this he said, "We have also said that restoration of public assets like bridge, water supply schemes, flood protection works, school building, roads, hospitals, their reconstruction work should be started soon, restoration should be permitted because till the time we are not able to restore these public assets, the public delivery system will not work easily."
He added that the Prime Minister assured that as help as much as possible would be provided and said that measures will be taken to prevent diseases from spreading.
Earlier today, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami, who is monitoring the rescue and relief operations in flood-battered Jammu and Kashmir, met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Yesterday, Abdullah had announced free ration for six months and an initial installment of Rs 75,000 for those who lost their houses in the flood.
He also said that Rs 100 crore each for both Jammu and Srinagar will be used from State Disaster Funds for rescue and relief operations.
