CM secures approval for housing aid to Warwan valley fire victims

Srinagar, Jan 5: The Government of India has approved a special project under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) to provide housing assistance to the fire victims of Mulwarwan village in the Warwan Valley of Kishtwar district.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who assumed office on October 16, promptly visited the affected area the following day and assured the victims of long-term rehabilitation. He had assured to secure assistance from the central government to help the families rebuild their homes and restore their lives.

The approval for this special housing package follows Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s appeal to the central government, requesting additional financial assistance for the long-term rehabilitation of the affected families.

The Chief Minister emphasised the urgency of providing housing aid under PMAY-G to help the families rebuild their homes and return to normalcy.

In this regard, the Ministry of Rural Development, Department of Rural Development (Rural Housing Division), has formally communicated this approval to the Secretary of the Department of Rural Development, Union Territory Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

According to the communication, up to 85 houses (including 7 earlier PMAY-G beneficiaries) have been allocated under the special project for the financial year 2024-25. The fire victims have welcomed the additional financial package.

"We are grateful to the Chief Minister for this financial aid but expect more assistance," said Ghulam Qadir, one of the victims.

Omar Abdullah, during his visit to the victims, has assured them that he will push for more relief from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

He had also announced that each of the 85 affected families would receive Rs 2 lakh as financial assistance. The fire, which broke out in Mulwarwan on October 14, left over 70 families homeless. Property worth crores was reduced to rubble in the fire.

With the only road connecting Warwan to the rest of the region, the Marwa-Warwan-Margan Top road,  closed  due to heavy snowfall, the area will remain isolated for several months.

This leaves families with the challenging task of rebuilding their homes after winter. Several humanitarian organisations had already chipped in with relief and reconstruction material.