Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday visited the flood-hit border village of Badyal Brahmana in R S Pura, Jammu, where he assured farmers and residents that the Centre would extend all possible support to rebuild lives and livelihoods.
Chouhan inspected fields to assess crop losses before addressing a large gathering of flood victims, reiterating that the Narendra Modi government “stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in this hour of crisis.”
He said the Union government would act on reports being compiled by the J&K administration and various Central teams that have already surveyed the affected areas. “Once the state government submits its memorandum, the Centre will leave no stone unturned in providing relief,” he added.
After holding a review meeting in Jammu city, the minister announced a series of immediate measures. These include the release of one instalment of PM-Kisan for farmers in flood-affected areas, an additional 50 workdays under MGNREGA, raising the total entitlement to 150 days, and compensation for farmers who lost livestock.
Chouhan said around 5,000 houses had been damaged in the floods and would be rebuilt under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with each family receiving Rs 1.3 lakh along with a separate toilet.
Self Help Groups, which also reported heavy losses, will receive Rs 76 crore in relief. The minister further urged farmers to make use of the sand deposits left in their fields by the floods and directed the J&K Mining Department to relax rules to facilitate this.
Chouhan said the J&K government has Rs 2,499 crore available under disaster management funds, which will be used for relief and rehabilitation, while the Centre will provide additional support if required. He also announced that damaged canals and embankments in the Union Territory would be repaired with Central assistance to restore irrigation networks.
