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If Rs 745 cr is flood relief for J&K, it’s not enough: CM
Jammu : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said no international aid to help the flood-ravaged state has been rejected by the government.
He said it is early to say whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Diwali visit was a “meaningful gesture or not” and “if symbolism is all we get, then it is of no use but if his meeting with people helps clear the picture about the extent of damage caused by the floods and the need for a substantial central assistance, then it is good”.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Abdullah said no foreign government has offered help till date. “There are only two international organisations — World Bank and Asian Development Bank — who want to get involved,’’ he said.
He said any international aid has to be routed through NGOs that have foreign remittance registration.
When asked whether the government will accept aid offer from Islamabad, he said that is a bit complicated and then such a decision has to be taken by the Centre. “I presume these things work on reciprocity and they had recently turned down our aid offer,’’ he said. Abdullah said the government is organising duty exemption on the equipment that are being donated. “It is being done on case-to-case basis. We are also giving full state tax exemption on donated stuff.”
Referring to the financial assistance of Rs 745 crore announced by Modi during his Diwali visit to the state, the Chief Minister said if that is the Centre’s relief package to the flood ravaged state then it is far less than expected and inadequate. “If this is all we get, then I am not fine,’’ he said. “But I will give them (Centre) a benefit of doubt. They have not rejected the request for the relief package that we have submitted. They haven’t said how much they are going to accept as yet,’’ he said. The J&K government has made a request for a flood relief package of Rs 44,000 crore to help rebuild the ravaged infrastructure and homes.
Abdullah said the Centre hasn’t communicated to his government as to when would they take a decision regarding their request for the package. He said his government will also need to clarify what PM Modi meant when he said that the Rs 175 crore granted for helping the devastated infrastructure of the hospitals will be given to hospitals in Jammu and Leh. “That’s a bit misleading because the hospitals in Jammu city and Leh were not hit by the floods. I don’t know which six hospitals he was referring to. Our four main hospitals in Srinagar — SMHS Hospital, Bones and Joints, GB Pant Children Hospital and SKIMS Hospital in Bemina — have been damaged in the floods. The loss is around Rs 400 crore in these hospitals,’’ he said. “The hospitals in Jammu city and Leh.
He said it is early to say whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Diwali visit was a “meaningful gesture or not” and “if symbolism is all we get, then it is of no use but if his meeting with people helps clear the picture about the extent of damage caused by the floods and the need for a substantial central assistance, then it is good”.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Abdullah said no foreign government has offered help till date. “There are only two international organisations — World Bank and Asian Development Bank — who want to get involved,’’ he said.
He said any international aid has to be routed through NGOs that have foreign remittance registration.
When asked whether the government will accept aid offer from Islamabad, he said that is a bit complicated and then such a decision has to be taken by the Centre. “I presume these things work on reciprocity and they had recently turned down our aid offer,’’ he said. Abdullah said the government is organising duty exemption on the equipment that are being donated. “It is being done on case-to-case basis. We are also giving full state tax exemption on donated stuff.”
Referring to the financial assistance of Rs 745 crore announced by Modi during his Diwali visit to the state, the Chief Minister said if that is the Centre’s relief package to the flood ravaged state then it is far less than expected and inadequate. “If this is all we get, then I am not fine,’’ he said. “But I will give them (Centre) a benefit of doubt. They have not rejected the request for the relief package that we have submitted. They haven’t said how much they are going to accept as yet,’’ he said. The J&K government has made a request for a flood relief package of Rs 44,000 crore to help rebuild the ravaged infrastructure and homes.
Abdullah said the Centre hasn’t communicated to his government as to when would they take a decision regarding their request for the package. He said his government will also need to clarify what PM Modi meant when he said that the Rs 175 crore granted for helping the devastated infrastructure of the hospitals will be given to hospitals in Jammu and Leh. “That’s a bit misleading because the hospitals in Jammu city and Leh were not hit by the floods. I don’t know which six hospitals he was referring to. Our four main hospitals in Srinagar — SMHS Hospital, Bones and Joints, GB Pant Children Hospital and SKIMS Hospital in Bemina — have been damaged in the floods. The loss is around Rs 400 crore in these hospitals,’’ he said. “The hospitals in Jammu city and Leh.
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