Jammu: Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) and former minister Raman Bhalla on Thursday toured several flood-affected villages in Samba and Udhampur districts, where he lashed out at the administration for its “complete indifference” towards the victims even a month after the calamity.
Raman Bhalla visited Bindu, Da Parra, Mansar, Panchayat Pappad, and Block Nud in Samba district, as well as Charava village of Sundla Panchayat in Block Khoon of Udhampur district.
During his visit, Bhalla interacted with affected families and assessed the extensive damage caused by the flash floods and incessant rains of August 26 and 27. He expressed surprise that, despite the widespread destruction of homes, livestock, and standing crops, the government had failed to reach out to the people who lost everything.
He said that many houses in these areas have been badly damaged and declared unsafe, but authorities have not made any alternative arrangements for the affected families.
“A month has passed, but the authorities at the helm of affairs have yet to reach the affected families,” Bhalla said while addressing the gathering. “The majority of the victims are at the mercy of God because the administration has no time to mitigate their miseries.”
The Congress leader accused the government of making tall claims in the media while ignoring ground realities. He said that compensation and rehabilitation measures have been delayed, leaving poor and marginalised families in dire straits. Bhalla also pointed out that many victims are still without necessities such as food, shelter, and medical aid.
He urged the government to immediately release adequate compensation, launch special relief packages for farmers, and ensure the restoration of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and irrigation canals. Bhalla also called for long-term flood management strategies, including strengthening embankments, constructing check dams, and implementing scientific water management plans.
The JKPCC working president assured the affected families that the Congress party would raise their concerns at every available forum and continue to press for justice. He appealed to civil society organizations and local NGOs to extend support to the victims until the government wakes up to its responsibilities.
Raman Bhalla was accompanied by former minister Yash Pal Kundal; Vijay Choudhary Bawa (District President Udhampur); Sumit Mangotra (District Working President Udhampur); Jatin Vishishat; Majeed; Ved Sharma; Rakesh Singh; Kewal; Om Parkash (Block President Majalta); Romal Singh (Block President Dansal); Vikas Khajuria (District General Secretary DCC); Mukesh Bharti (General Secretary DCC); and Balwan Singh (Media Secretary).
