Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his visit to Kalaban in Mendhar tehsil, Poonch.
JAMMU, Sept 17: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today announced that families whose land has sunk or is subsiding will be allotted five marlas of government land at safer locations. He said the administration has been asked to prepare a proposal for Cabinet consideration and approval for allotment and resettlement, and to provide funds under existing schemes for construction of at least two rooms before winter.
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Immediate Relief and Resettlement Plan
Addressing residents at Kalaban (Mendhar tehsil), Poonch, where several houses were damaged due to land subsidence, Omar said Deputy Commissioners have been directed to draft proposals for allotment of five marlas on the pattern of land grants to landless families. Beneficiaries will receive financial assistance under various government schemes to enable construction of basic shelter before the onset of severe winter.
“People cannot be kept in tents in extreme cold. They must be provided at least two-room accommodation before December; the rest of construction can be completed later in March–April,” the Chief Minister said.
Funds Sanctioned; Centre Engagement
As immediate relief, Omar sanctioned Rs 38 lakh for affected families in addition to Rs 50 lakh already released from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He expressed confidence that the Centre will consider an assistance package for Jammu & Kashmir similar to those announced for Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand.
Scale of Damage & Relief Measures
Since September 11, the region has seen extensive damage: over 1,000 people affected, more than 95 houses damaged, and public assets including a graveyard and a mosque affected. Residents have been shifted to temporary shelters; 77 tents and 100 tarpaulin sheets have been provided and relief camps established at Panchayat Ghars in Kalaban and Faizabad.
Omar said teams are conducting damage assessments, identifying high-risk zones, and coordinating relief through a temporary sub-division control room involving administration, NGOs and volunteers. Vehicles have been deployed to evacuate people and transport belongings, and officials were directed to ensure boarding and lodging facilities for displaced families.
Long-term Measures
The CM stressed that areas showing land subsidence cannot be reoccupied and must be resettled at new sites with permanent facilities — drinking water, roads and electricity. He reiterated the government’s commitment to utilise available financial resources to ensure relief and rehabilitation reach the affected people promptly.
Source: Agencies
Labels: Poonch, Disaster Relief, Administration
Tags: #OmarAbdullah #LandSubsidence #Poonch #DisasterRelief #SDRF
Disclaimer: This article is a rewritten summary based on reporting by Agencies. Jammu News Portal does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of external content.
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