JKPCC delegation meets LG; Seeks central relief package, statehood

Jammu, Sep 29: An 11-member high-level delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) led by its working president Raman Bhalla met the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan on Monday and submitted a detailed memorandum seeking immediate central package for flood affected and early restoration of statehood.

“The delegation referring to the colossal loss due to recent rains, floods, sinking of lands and landslides, sought a comprehensive package from the Centre for the relief, rehabilitation of the affected people and the restoration and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure. The delegation demanded that it (devastation) should be declared as a national disaster,” a JKPCC spokesperson said.

Besides, the delegation in its memorandum submitted to LG Sinha impressed upon the central government for early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. It also expressed concern over the situation in Leh and urged for resolving Leh people’s legitimate demands through dialogue.

The delegation comprised former MP and former minister Choudhary Lal Singh; former minister Mula Ram; ex-MLA Thakur Balwan Singh; chief spokesperson and ex MLC Ravinder Sharma; former minister Yogesh Sawhney; ex-MLC Ved Mahajan; ex-MLA Indu Pawar; ex-MLC Naresh Gupta; former minister Shabir Ahmed Khan and Shah Mohd Choudhary.

The memorandum focussed upon the huge loss in different parts of Jammu region and parts of Kashmir valley; damage to the houses and other private property including crops, vehicles, residential and agriculture lands and livestock due to rains, flash floods, landslides and sinking of lands at multiple places in the province.