SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that ₹3 crore has been released under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for relief measures in flood-affected areas of Budgam district, including Beerwah constituency.
Replying to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Beerwah MLA Dr Shafi Ahmad Wani, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said the funds had been sanctioned to provide assistance to people affected by recent flash floods in the area.
The Deputy Chief Minister told the House that ex-gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh had been recommended for the legal heirs of a person who died in a flood-related incident in the constituency, in accordance with SDRF norms.
He also informed the Assembly that a two-storey shopping complex comprising 29 shops and a residential shed at Qasba Beerwah had been damaged or washed away in the floods.
According to Choudhary, preliminary assessments have been carried out by the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department, Municipal Committee, Revenue Department and other agencies, while verification of land title and final assessment of losses are underway.
The House was informed that the Agriculture Production Department had completed an assessment of crop and horticulture losses in the constituency. The survey recorded damage to five hectares of agricultural land, including 3.15 hectares of paddy, 1.65 hectares of vegetables and 0.20 hectares of maize.
In the horticulture sector, damage was reported over 0.334 hectares, affecting seven orchardists. Claims amounting to ₹30,000 have been recorded and compensation will be provided as per applicable norms, the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Choudhary further stated that the District SDRF Committee had assessed damage to roads, bridges and culverts in the Beerwah division and recommended ₹1,092.92 lakh for restoration works.
Additionally, ₹11.41 lakh has been recommended for restoration of the 33 kV Ahmadpora-Beerwah power transmission line under KPDCL’s Sub-Transmission Division-II, Rajbagh, Srinagar, he added.
