Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday interacted with delegations drawn from a cross-section of society affected by the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir last month. Besides interacting with representatives of major political parties, the Prime Minister also met the delegations from Fruit and Saffron Growers Association, hoteliers, house-boat owners, travel agents, NGOs, civil society, schools, transporters, academicians and trade bodies.
Fruit and saffon growers association highlighted that most of the growers have sufferd heavy losses to their crops. Besides, the fruit that is available is not being purchased at proper rates by dealers in Delhi and other parts of the country. "They requested for assistance in selling the apple, saffron and other produce in the market, crop insurance, cold storage and cold chain facility, subsidy for transporting the produce to the market and moratorium on bank loans re-payment and soft loans facility," a press release issued by Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami said.
The hoteliers, houseboat owners, shikarawals and travel agents pointed out that a large number of business establishments have suffered total losses and demanded ex-gratia for business losses and concessional or soft loan facility. They also demanded 10-year tax holiday, speedy settlement of insurance claims, and negating the adverse publicity generated about Jammu and Kashmir, the release said.
The NGOs and civil society highlighted the need for taking preventive measures for avoiding disasters, effective disaster mitigation plan, rent for people whose houses have been damaged and restoration of livelihoods.
They also emphasised the need for putting the public health delivery system back in place, restoration of classroom studies of students in flood-affected areas. The representatives of trade and industry wanted steps for revival of economic activity in the state including soft loans, moratorium on payment of interest and principal for 2-3 years, faster settlement of insurance claims and financial assistance of the losses suffered by them.
The transporters said a large number of vehicles have been completely or partially damaged and their offices have been destroyed. They also highlighted that drivers, conductors, cleaners and other staff of such vehicles have become unemployed and sought financial assistance in form of ex-gratia and soft loans for revival of the transport sector.
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