Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday visited the flood-affected border village of Badyal Brahmana in RS Pura and announced a series of relief measures including the construction of 5,101 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin).
The Minister said that Rs 76 crore would be released for women self-help groups and announced an increase in employment under MGNREGA to 150 days from the existing 100 days in the affected areas.
Upon his arrival, Chouhan first visited the fields to assess the damage to standing crops. Later, he addressed a large gathering of flood victims, including farmers, assuring them that the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in this time of crisis.
He pledged that the Union Government would provide all possible assistance to the affected population after consultations with the J&K government, which would submit damage assessment reports.
Teams from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Jal Shakti, Rural Development, and Agriculture have already conducted surveys in the affected areas and will also submit their reports. Once the J&K government submits its memoranda, the Centre would “leave no stone unturned” in providing relief, he assured.
Chouhan further announced that one instalment under the PM-Kisan scheme would be released immediately for flood-affected farmers. He also declared that compensation would be provided for domestic animals lost in the floods. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he said, each household would receive Rs 1.3 lakh for construction, along with a separate provision for toilets.
He suggested that the sand deposited in fields due to floods should be utilised by the farmers themselves, and urged the J&K Mining Department to relax rules in favour of the affected families.
Chouhan added that the J&K government currently has Rs 2,499 crore available under disaster management funds, which would be utilised for flood relief.
If additional resources are required, he assured, the Centre would extend further assistance. He also said the renovation of damaged canals and embankments would be taken up with Central support.