Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 17: The victims of May 1 earthquake will have to chill it out on their own as they are yet to get the relief amount under State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).
The amount of Rs 25 crore was put on the discretion of Deputy Commissioners of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts by the state government. As the damage was severe in Doda district, it got the amount of Rs 19 crore.
But most of the victims in district Doda are yet to receive a single penny from the administration and they haven't started the construction or repair work of their houses damaged in the quake and aftershocks.
"I am yet to receive a single penny from administration but there are talks that in upcoming days some sort of amount may be given. But so far, nothing has not been given to the victims," said Akhter Hussain.
Since May 1, when the 5.8 magnitude quake hit Doda and Kishtwar districts with epicenter at Jangalwar near Bhaderwah, more than 100 aftershocks have made the life of people miserable. More than 80000 structures were damaged in these quakes as more than 1000 structures were completely damaged, around 10000 structures were severely damaged and rest of the structures was partially damaged.
Under the revised plan of SDRF, owners of completely damaged concrete houses will get Rs 70000, completely damaged mud houses will get Rs 15000, severely damaged concrete houses Rs 6300, severely damaged mud houses Rs 3200 and partially damaged houses will get Rs 1900.
More than five months have passed but victims are yet to get such a small amount. Even the central government did nothing for the welfare of quake victims of Doda and Kishtwar districts.
Now, on the onset of winter, the threat of collapsing houses, which got damaged severely or partially in these quakes is high and victims have no option but to look for other options to spend winter. This concern was conveyed to Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on June 25 at Kishtwar but despite that nothing special has been done.
"Our area receives huge snowfall during winters and spending nights in open is not possible for us, who have lost everything in the quake. My house got completely damaged and to reconstruct it, huge amount is needed," said Ram Raj of Bhaderwah.
He said that his family has shifted to a house of some relative but the condition is getting bad to worse and during winters they may have to move out of Bhaderwah. |
