JAMMU: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday announced the constitution of a six-member BJP committee to assess losses suffered by traders in the recent fire incidents at Nehru Market and Shiv Market in Jammu and take up their demand for compensation and rehabilitation with the government.
Sharma made the announcement during a visit to the Warehouse Complex near Nehru Market, where a major fire broke out on Sunday evening, damaging more than 15 shops.
He was accompanied by Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, former BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina, MLAs Arvind Gupta, Yudhvir Sethi and Vikram Randhawa, and party General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria.
The committee, constituted in consultation with BJP state president Sat Sharma, will be headed by MLA Sham Lal Sharma and include Dr Narinder Singh, MLAs Yudhvir Sethi, Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, and party General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria.
It will assess the losses at both markets, prepare a list of affected traders and take up the matter with the government for time-bound relief and rehabilitation. The panel will also pursue the demand for allowing MLAs to utilise their Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for extending assistance to the affected traders.
Sharma demanded adequate compensation beyond the routine relief norms, citing the extent of losses suffered by traders. He said two major market fires had occurred in Jammu within a fortnight, first at Shiv Market near the Railway Station and subsequently at Nehru Market, affecting the livelihoods of several families.
He said traders needed concrete relief measures rather than assurances and called for additional fire tenders in the Warehouse area, including compact fire tenders and quick-response vehicles capable of accessing narrow market lanes.
For long-term prevention, Sharma urged the government to identify a separate site for warehouses and storage of inflammable goods, away from crowded commercial and residential areas.
Referring to the Shiv Market fire, the Leader of Opposition alleged that the government had not made public any relief amount or timeline despite its earlier assurance of assistance. He urged the Omar Abdullah-led government to take time-bound steps for compensation and rehabilitation of affected traders.
