Published On:Saturday, 25 October 2014
PM's Rs 745cr package to JK flood victims a crude joke: Cong
Srinagar: State Congress president Prof Saifuddin Soz Friday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement in Srinagar, the other day, regarding package of relief for the sufferers of the recent devastating floods as a crude joke with the people of State.
In a statement Soz said, “Since he was giving a message to Kashmir, he should have been conscious of the level of devastation that had taken place in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir. His announcement of package of Rs. 575 Crores for reconstruction of houses to the affected people is seen here as a situation of adding insult to the injury. This also showed, in ample measure, his casual approach to give a helping hand to the people, who had to face the ravages of severest flood in their recorded History.”
“Having said this, I would raise a question with Modi why he had delayed response to the devastation in Kashmir when he could have brought succor to the people who have to face hazards of approaching winter in the absence of relief. Modi Government has already lost two months in organizing response to the devastation in Kashmir and now he intends to examine the situation through a team of experts which may further delay relief,” Soz added.
The State Congress president said Modi should announce that the J&K Govt demanded package devised through a meticulous exercise and it will be reasonable for the Central Govt to sanction this amount. “Modi should also allow international aid for people of the State. As far giving relief directly to the sufferers I have to say that he (Mr. Modi) has taken a leaf from the UPA’s book, which had decided direct transfers of grants to the account of beneficiaries under a cscheme –‘AAP KA, PAISA AAP KEY HAATH’,” Soz said.
“I don’t think anybody will be objecting to direct grant of relief to the affected people,” he added.
In a statement Soz said, “Since he was giving a message to Kashmir, he should have been conscious of the level of devastation that had taken place in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir. His announcement of package of Rs. 575 Crores for reconstruction of houses to the affected people is seen here as a situation of adding insult to the injury. This also showed, in ample measure, his casual approach to give a helping hand to the people, who had to face the ravages of severest flood in their recorded History.”
“Having said this, I would raise a question with Modi why he had delayed response to the devastation in Kashmir when he could have brought succor to the people who have to face hazards of approaching winter in the absence of relief. Modi Government has already lost two months in organizing response to the devastation in Kashmir and now he intends to examine the situation through a team of experts which may further delay relief,” Soz added.
The State Congress president said Modi should announce that the J&K Govt demanded package devised through a meticulous exercise and it will be reasonable for the Central Govt to sanction this amount. “Modi should also allow international aid for people of the State. As far giving relief directly to the sufferers I have to say that he (Mr. Modi) has taken a leaf from the UPA’s book, which had decided direct transfers of grants to the account of beneficiaries under a cscheme –‘AAP KA, PAISA AAP KEY HAATH’,” Soz said.
“I don’t think anybody will be objecting to direct grant of relief to the affected people,” he added.
