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Azad unhappy with pace of rehab

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/23/2014 12:39:43 PM

`Situation grim, dismal in Valley’

SRINAGAR, Sept 22: Unhappy with the pace of rehabilitation work on ground zero, the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghuam Nabi Azad Monday described the flood situation in Kashmir valley as “grim and dismal.”
“The situation is grim and dismal which has had a debilitating impact on the lives of people,” Azad said while undertaking a day-long survey of flood-ravaged areas of Kulgam and Anantnag today. By reaching out to the affected population in areas of South Kashmir Azad literally scored over National Conference leaders who are keen on staying put in Srinagar and following the foot prints of the Chief Minister working overtime to activate the state government machinery.
Flanked by Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmed Mir and MLA and former minister G M Saroori, the former Chief Minister called for a concerted relief and reconstruction effort as he conducted an elaborate tour of flood-affected areas of Bijbehera, Satgar, Urnhal, Gur, Anantnag, Bagi, Wanpoo, Segloo and Ganjipora.
Azad also visited Klrewan, Cherhama, Gund, Tenkipora, Akhran, Zangalpora, Arigotam and Chhanagund.
Deeply anguished at seeing large-scale and unprecedented devastation in the areas, Azad said, “There has been very widespread devastation of public infrastructure like roads, bridges, drinking water schemes, etc, power distribution systems, hospitals, schools, and private properties including houses, shops, orchards, crops and livestock.”
While taking note of the destruction, Azad called for a concerted, multi-pronged and serious effort on the part of both the central and state governments to help people revive their lives, adding that the enormity of the challenge was to be gauged properly and that all the government agencies, political parties, civil society and especially youth needed to work in tandem to alleviate the hardships of people.
Azad also felt that formulation of a cohesive and effective disaster management strategy could not be underlined more than in the given situation as people suffered unmitigated and severe damage.
He added that given the scale and magnitude of this natural calamity, its vicious impact was going to last for quite some time on the lives of people.
Commending the fortitude and patience of people while undergoing an extraordinary situation caused by the worst-ever floods, Azad said that he was impressed to note the spirit of service, compassion and community participation that was markedly visible even during the calamity of this scale.
He assured to the people that all possible efforts would be made to galvanise support for mobilising resources to overcome the challenge of relief and reconstruction post flood situation.
Azad also visited three villages in South Kashmir, namely Kilam- Gund, Arigotam and Chhangund, which had been completely wiped out in the fury of flash-floods.
Besides, people also demanded immediate provisioning of tents, temporary shelters, unfettered supply of food material including baby food, restoration of power and drinking water supplies, providing of medical assistance to the needy, etc to overcome the hardships that they had been facing.