Date:12/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/12/stories/2006091200090900.htm

National

Kashmir projects loss due to floods put at Rs. 659.23 crore

Shujaat Bukhari

Over 10 lakh people displaced, State tells Central team

SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir has projected a loss of Rs. 659.23 crore due to floods and asked the Union Government to help compensate the loss. Over 10 lakh displaced people need immediate relief, it has pointed out.

At a meeting with a Central team, headed by Joint Secretary (Kashmir Affairs) in the Home Ministry Mitali Sen Gavai, the State projected the enormous loss to property and crop, particularly in South Kashmir.

Chief Secretary C. Phonsog, who chaired the meeting, told The Hindu that the process of having everything in black and white would be completed by this month-end. A preliminary survey pegged the loss at Rs.659.23crore.

Mr. Phonsog said relief had three main components — Central Relief Fund (CRF), Enhanced CRF and Permanent Restoration. "The State is otherwise entitled for Rs. 97.13 crore under the CRF, of which Rs. 31 crore had been released by the Centre."

Over 60,000 hectares had been affected and crop and fruit worth lakhs of rupees had perished.