Guv of Jammu and Kashmir says govt would focus on rehabilitation of flood victims

The PDP-BJP coalition government would focus on restoration of livelihood and rebuilding of the economy of the state that suffered in the wake of the devastating floods of September 2014, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today said.

"For the government, the focus of the post-flood rehabilitation programme will be on the restoration of livelihood and rebuilding of the economy. The floods have not only destroyed assets but severely impaired the process of income generation," Vohra said, during his address at the joint session of the state legislature here.

He said that it would take the state economy nearly "a decade" to reach the pre-flood level of the disposable incomes gained by the state and individuals.

"The focus shall be to recover the income loss and to meet the liability commitments in agriculture, horticulture, handicraft, industry, trade and tourism" he said.

He said that the ambit of rehabilitation has been expanded to those geographical areas and businesses that are "flood-impacted", in addition to being "flood-affected".

"Towards this end my government has already speed tracked its engagement with the World Bank," he said.

"As regards losses, both public assets and private assets have been damaged and or lost. For reconstructing the public assets, the resources are envisaged to come from the central government. This objective is sought to be achieved by developing and implementing a "public infrastructure reconstruction plan".

In the first phase of this plan the major focus will be in establishing connectivity across the state," he said. He said that the Centre is expected to fully fund the rehabilitation and reconstruction plan.

"For addressing issues of immediate concern, it shall also have to take some urgent practical measures in the aforesaid sectors," he said.

Vohra said that the government was also committed to institutionalise a "modern robust" disaster management system in the state by building the required capacities.

"While the unprecedented floods in 2014 caused untold devastation, the government believes that the disaster which has taken place provide an excellent opportunity to ensure that all the destroyed assets are reconstructed very much better, to leap frog into the 21st century" he said.

The Governor said that in the past two decades, the heritage of the state has been badly damaged.

"The government will focus on reviving the heritage by rebuilding 'Shehr-e-Khaas' as a heritage destination by dove-tailing craft, heritage and tourism and making Dal Lake a world heritage site. Further, the government will preserve and promote the Dogra and Ladakhi heritage," he said.