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| Patil recognizes endeavours of Azad govt. in handling quake aftermath | | Assures full central help for reconstruction | |
Srinagar, October 08
Union Home Minister Mr Shivraj Patil recognizing the outstanding performance of Jammu and Kashmir government in rehabilitation process of October 8 earthquake survivors has appreciated it for rendering tireless service in this direction. “The results of hard efforts put in by Mr Azad-led government are visible on ground”, he said.
Union Home Minister and Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad were received by huge crowd at Tangdhar on their arrival warmly and enthusiastically today. It looked as if entire Tangdhar had assembled at the venue of public meeting. Today’s function marked the observance of one year of devastating earthquake that rocked parts of the state last year on this day killing and wounding thousands and damaging large number of houses and public infrastructure.
Mr Patil announced that the central government would provide all sorts of assistance to be recommended by Mr Azad for reconstruction of quake-devastated areas on modern lines and providing necessary succour to the sufferers. He said that he could feel the gravity of pain and trauma through which quake survivors have gone through with more intensity as he himself hails from the area where people have suffered a lot due to earthquake.
Mr Patil expressed hope that the relief amount provided to the affected for construction purposes would be strictly utilized for the same.
Union Home Minister said the Jammu and Kashmir is highly rich in human resources and a highly qualified number of youth available in the state have to be properly utilized in various fields, as such, a comprehensive employment generation programme requires to be drawn. He said the central government has already sanctioned raising of 15 police battalions in the state of which 10 have already been established and recruitment for the rest is on. He said central government would also consider raising of more police battalions in the state to provide employment opportunities to the youth.
Mr. Patil said that God has bestowed Jammu and Kashmir with rich resources of land fertility, hydro power feasibility and natural beauty and added that if these are tapped technically and amicably, Jammu and Kashmir would be the richest state in the country. He said genetic engineering has attained remarkable place and established itself as an important industry in the world. Jammu and Kashmir is ideal place for genetic industry for its location, climate and feasibility as also availability of high class talent in the state, he added.
He said that UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh are keen to see Jammu and Kashmir progressing to achieve new highs and the people of entire country are with people of the state through every thick and thin. He said Jammu and Kashmir is crown of the country and every citizen of the country wants it to shine day by day.
“Sometimes uncalled for violence takes place which is totally handiwork of vested individuals of insignificant number. Entire people can not be held responsible for the misdeeds of some miscreants and this fact is known to every countryman”, Mr Patil said.
Union Home Minister said that highest praises are due to Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad who handled the earthquake created situation most effectively showing quick response to the people’s needs. He said Mr. Azad visited the areas unabated, spent many nights with the sufferers, offered Eid prayers with them and shared gloom and agony. It is Mr Azad’s endeavour that ruins of quake affected areas are developing into modern villages, he said.
Mr Patil said that Jammu and Kashmir possesses talented businessmen, industrialists and qualified entrepreneurs, they need more exposure and the orbit of their activities demands expansion. He said, he would write to Chief Ministers of all states to encourage talented entrepreneurs of Jammu and Kashmir and provide them incentives and facilities to raise industries and run business in other states of the country.
He extended Ramdhan and Eid greetings to the people.
Chief Minister while speaking on the occasion said that he was happy to note that profile of entire Tangdhar has changed from ruins to present model villages. He recalled last year’s October 8 when he was attending as a Union Minister a meeting of Congress Chief Ministers at Chandigarh when tremors of this earthquake were felt by him in the conference hall and when UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi enquired about the matter, he communicated his feelings which within minutes proved correct as there was a big jolt. He said it was in the same meeting that he was especially deputed to air-dash to earthquake hit areas of the state to monitor all kinds of rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures. He said since then he personally monitored the entire effort to provide succour to the affected people.
Mr Azad revealed that it was Union Home Minister Mr Shivraj Patil who provided all kinds of support for ensuring despatch of all kinds of relief material from all states to the affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He recalled personal interest shown by President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi, all Chief Ministers and thousands NGOs to provide relief to the affected population of the state.
Chief Minister said that highest ever relief of Rs 1.35 lakh has been sanctioned in favour of the families whose houses have fully damaged in the quake. He said two installments of Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000 along with incentive of Rs 5000 have been already paid to the affected families. He said that he has already directed that entire amount of Rs 60,000 should be paid to the affected families in one go, however, the amount will be released only in respect of those who complete the edifice, advising them to accomplish this work before Eid so that entire structure gets raised before on-set of winter.
Mr Azad said that during his tour to New York, London and Brussels and interacting with parliamentarians of 25 countries, the leaders expressed appreciation for the efforts of central and state governments in combating the earthquake challenges, controlling its aftermath and undertaking relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction tasks meticulously, saying that it has been highly laudable as compared to what they have witnessed on other side of LoC.
He thanked the central government for its unprecedented assistance to the state to combat quake challenge and also for carrying forward the development process with fast speed. He reminded the people of the solidarity shown by the countrymen.
Minister for Agriculture Mr. Abdul Aziz Zargar providing a profile of success story of rebuilding devastated areas said that its credit goes to Mr. Azad who personally monitored, persuaded and sought early rehabilitation of affected. He said ex-Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was also instrumental in channelising rescue and relief operations who along with high-ups of administration visited the areas personally. He thanked central leadership, UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Chief Ministers of various states for extending all help.
The MLA of the area Mr Kafil-ur-Rehman lauded Mr. Azad for the dynamism and quick response shown to handle most awkward situation created by the natural calamity. He said though the precious lives lost could not be brought back, however, the way Mr. Azad wiped the tears of sufferers and placed his hand on the heads of orphans and destitute is highly admirable and for others to follow.
Chairman Linguistic Minorities Commission Mr. Suresh Keshwani was also present.
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