Rs 1,667-cr aid for flood-ravaged J&K

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 16

The Centre today announced an additional amount of Rs 1,667 crore as part of the short-term relief and reconstruction measures for flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir. Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced the package while addressing a press conference in Delhi.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "Last year, Rs 2,602 crore had been released (for J&K). Other than this, Rs 2,437 crore will be released this (financial) year.” Later in the evening, the Home Ministry released an official statement saying a sum of Rs 1,667 crore has been approved, leading to some confusion.

Rajnath said: “A sum of Rs 1,602 crore had already been released from the National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund for immediate relief to the flood-affected families. And, Rs 1,000 crore has been released as Additional Special Plan Assistance and Rs 770 crore under the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF). After today’s grant, a total of Rs 5,039 crore has been provided for short-term relief and reconstruction measures for the state.”

On violence, Rajnath said there was 25 per cent decline in terror-related incidents in the state that was also witnessing “significant improvement” in security situation. “A secure and peaceful environment is critical to all-round economic and social development of the state,” he said.

Jaitley said today’s announcement of Rs 1,667 crore included Rs 838 crore on account of pending liabilities of the PM’s Reconstruction Plan 2014, Rs 551 crore additional ex gratia for repair and reconstruction of damaged kuccha houses, Rs 172 crore for the tourism sector, Rs 59 crore as subsidy for providing additional foodgrains and Rs 47 crore for repair of damaged roads.

He said Rs 770 crore sanctioned under the PMNRF included Rs 570 crore for reconstruction and repair of damaged pucca and kuccha houses, Rs 175 crore for damaged medical equipment and Rs 25 crore for textbooks of schoolchildren.

Jaitley said the long-term rehabilitation package for the state would be addressed by a team of senior Central officials, including the CEO of Niti Ayog and Secretary (Expenditure).