Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra on Saturday undertook an extensive tour of flood-hit areas of the summer capital Srinagar to assess relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken to provide succour to the flood-affected families.
The Governor visited worst-hit Raj Bagh, Barzulla, Bemina and Lal Chowk and interacted with the flood-affected people, an official spokesman said.
This is the first visit of Vohra to various flood hit areas of the city after the implementation of Governor's rule in the state on January 9.
Emphasising the need to expedite the relief and rehabilitation measures for flood affected people, Vohra called for gearing up of officers at all levels for responsive administration.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, while apprising about the measures for flood affected people informed that about Rs 170 crores have been distributed among the flood affected victims as ex-gratia relief for damaged houses and rent on account of accommodation.
He also informed that over 200 temporary structures have been constructed in different districts of the Valley besides the administration has facilitated the construction of 600 temporary structures involving different NGOs.
The roads, bridges, water supply schemes which were extensively damaged during the floods have been restored, an official spokesman said after the meeting.
He said the Governor was informed that free ration has been provided for the families for three months.
The Governor also reviewed the supply position of power, restoration of breaches, roads, PHE schemes, damage to crops and infrastructure, the spokesman said, adding Vohra directed Power Development Department to ensure stable power supply to the people and directed them for maintaining vigil and take preventive measures in this regard.
Vohra also exhorted for intensifying market checkings to ensure availability of adequate stocks of essential commodities especially Kerosene oil and LPG.
He asked for accelerating the drive for removal of encroachments and illegal structures from the water bodies and state land.
The Governor who flew here from winter capital Jammu also interacted with the stakeholders of tourism, traders, hand loom and transport sectors besides houseboat owners and civil society members.
Vohra asked the Vice Chairman of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority and Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation for immediately streamlining the issuance of building permissions for the reconstruction of houses and hotels to the flood affected persons under a single window system.
He also asked for the labour rates to be fixed and publicised, the spokesman said.
The Governor directed the authority for prescribing the quality and standard for pesticides which are used by orchardists after consultation with Vice Chancellor SKUAST and officers of Horticulture Department.
Regarding the demands for the revival of tourism industry in the state, Vohra directed Secretary Tourism to organise publicity campaigns throughout the country to attract a large number of tourists to the Valley.
The Governor also stressed for the timely redressal of public grievances and said that he had asked Chief Secretary to set up the Winter Secretariat at Srinagar also.
