NC’s Gupta seeks preliminary relief to rain, flood hit people of Jammu divn

Jammu: Former MLC and senior National Conference leader Rattan Lal Gupta Friday sought immediate preliminary relief, including cash assistance and free rations, to the flood and rain hit people of Jammu Division, saying a mechanism is also needed to be put in place to meet the challenge posed by damages to infrastructure.
In a statement issued from Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here, Gupta also sought survey by an empowered central team together with concerned departments of Jammu and Kashmir administration to prepare inventory of the losses and accordingly sanction a package and compensation for the sufferers.
Rattan Lal Gupta expressed anguish over loss of life and colossal damage caused to utility services including the road network, adding that mobility has significantly been affected and the people are encountering a lot many difficulties on power and drinking water fronts. This is a major irritant during the humid monsoon season and the concerned departments should be reactivated to restore the damages and ensure regulated supply of minimum basics. He said the farmers need special dispensation as their hard toil has been washed away by flash floods and incessant rains continuously for the past few days.
Gupta also expressed deep grief over the deaths due to rain related incidents and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He also demanded compensation in favour of the next of kin of the deceased.
He sought synergy between various governmental agencies so that the sufferings of the people are mitigated at the earliest.