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| Rebuilding Kashmir | | | Irfan Hussain | 7/1/2015 10:13:12 PM |
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Nine months have passed since the devastating floods hit the state but hundreds of people still await the rehabilitation. Although a portion of the flood victims have managed in rebuilding their houses on their own or with a meager compensation from the Government but a major chunk is yet to rebuild their homes with nothing in their hands.
The devastating floods claimed around 300 lives and rendered thousands of people homeless. Besides it left hundreds of people jobless since many could not start their own job who lost their valuable equipments and goods during the floods on which their livelihood was dependent.
The business community was shattered. People who were completely dependent on low profile jobs like tailoring, grocery shops, chemists or running small business shops find it difficult to start their businesses.
The Kashmir economy has to be revived and needs some special attention. Kashmir economy suffered a major damage in last 25 years of armed conflict. When the fragile economy was coming back on the track, it received a major jolt during the 2008 Amarnath land agitation and in 2010 when 120 youth got killed and Valley remained shut for weeks. The last year deluge further pushed the Valley economy backward. So far, the Government has failed to rehabilitate the flood victims despite authorities making tall claims about providing them proper compensation. The previous Government headed by Omar Abdullah sought the Rs 44,000 crore package from the Union Government but after nine months only around Rs 5000 crore has been released so far.
As per Government estimates, schools and hospitals suffered a heavy damage of Rs 1000 crore and thousands of crores is required for permanent restoration of roads and bridges since only their temporary restoration has been made due to non-availability of floods.
Valley is rich in natural resources like forests, water, minerals, undiscovered tourist destinations etc, but the state has failed in fully exploring them over the years. The basic infrastructure in terms of regular power supply, roads, communication systems and drinking water remains poor to the state, which are necessary for the development of industrial sector. The state is unable to generate resources for meeting the expenses of salary payments of its employees. In absence of private industries the Government is the only employer for the unemployed youth of the state. Government spends around 40 percent budget on the salaries of state employees, resulting its basic infrastructure remaining poor.
Unemployment has become a cause of concern for the people of J&K. The lack of privatization is the main reason for the growing unemployment in the state. The educated youth remain dependent on Government jobs due to lack of privatization. It is also a fact that it won't be possible for the Government to provide employment to each and everyone since the state's economy is not self-reliant and has to remain dependent on Central funding. Over 40 percent of the state budget is being spent on employees' salaries annually leaving fewer funds for developmental activities of the state.
The Kashmir economy was shattered by the floods which not only made difficult for the proprietors to start their business units but left hundreds of people homeless.
In these difficult times, the Army has come forward and organized several mega relief distribution camps to provide some helping hand to the flood victims. One camp was organized at the BB Cantt of Army which was presided over by GOC Lt Gen Subrata Saha where around 2000 people turned to get some relief material. Sports items including table tennis tables, cricket kits, hockey sticks and balls, basket balls, volley balls, sports shoes etc were distributed to seven schools of Srinagar which were badly affected by the flash floods. Naqshband Public High School Saraf Kadal of Down Town area, Srinagar was provided with computers along with IT peripherals. A large amount of mobility aids & listening aids were provided to needy people who needed these aids for leading normal life which included 03 Scooty three - wheelers, 50 wheel chairs, 50 hearing aids, 30 spectacles and 25 crutches.
Mohammad Shaban Dar of Baghi Sundar Chattabal was one of the beneficiaries of the Army relief distribution camp. He says, "My house was completely damaged by the floods. But Army has come forward to help poor people like me and provided us CGI sheets by which I was able to rebuild my house."
Dar said the Government provided him only a meager compensation by which it was not possible for him to build the house.
Shabir Ahmad Badyari of Chattabal Srinagar received a tailoring machine from the Army camp. "The last year flood left us nowhere but Army gave me a sewing machine by which I am able to earn money and feed my family members," he said. However, he intends that Army should organize more such camps so that more and more flood victims get benefit.
Rubeena Bashir of Khayam, says she has been earning money with the sewing machine that Army provided her free of cost. "There are hundreds of people like me who lost everything and could not start their work on their own. So, I hope Army will also organize more such camps to provide some relief to the flood victims since Government's tall promises have been confined to statements with no implementation on the ground," Rubeena said.
During the floods too, the Army played a pivotal role in saving the lives of people besides provided speedy medical aid to the affected populace. The Central, state Government and the Army provided tents to the homeless people. But that is not enough as many are still awaiting their rehabilitation. However, Army did an appreciable job which otherwise was the Government's responsibility, but such measures are always expected from their side when any natural disaster occur. It is now time for the Government and the international community to come forward and join hands in providing relief to the flood victims. Kashmir has to be rebuilt which is not possible in a day. It may take some more time but everyone must extend their helping hand so that flood victims stand on their legs. The shopkeepers have to restart their business while homeless people who live in tents, rented accommodations, have to build up their homes. |
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