Prime Minister Narendra Modi spends diwali in Siachen, gives J&K another Rs 745 crore from relief fund

SRINAGAR: Narendra Modi spent his first Diwali after becoming Prime Minister with soldiers posted on the heights of the Siachen Glacier to send a message of national unity before moving onto Srinagar in a display of solidarity with the victims of recent floods that devastated the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Apart from announcing immediate release of Rs1,000 crore grant announced earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday granted another Rs745 crore from the Prime Ministers Relief Fund. He said the government will seriously consider transferring the amount directly to the flood sufferer’s bank accounts.

Interacting with political beings, flood survivors, and civil society activists for nearly half of the day, Modi said the central government would release appropriate funds after the state government’s memorandum for a special package will be examined. The Prime Minister said that a common thread running through the interaction with all groups was the suggestion that affected people should be given help directly. He assured the request would be seriously considered.

For instance, the Prime Minister said, it could be considered that assistance for rebuilding houses could be given directly to bank accounts of beneficiaries. “I assure the people of J&K that the entire nation stood with them in the rebuilding process, after the floods and we will do everything possible,” Prime Minister told public broadcaster DD after completing his series of meetings at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. He said his meetings were fruitful in understanding the issues people are confronted with.

Briefing media, almost three hours after Modi’s departure, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami said the centre is immediately releasing Rs570 crore for the repairs of the flood-damaged houses, Rs175 crore for restoration of hospitals in Leh, Jammu and Srinagar and fund the free replacement of books and notebooks to all the children upto the upper primary levels. “This is all from the PMRF and has nothing to do with the package that the state government has submitted,” Goswami asserted.

“Hon’ble PM has stated that good governance, quick restoration of public infrastructure, revival of economic activity and creation of conducive environment or brining the tourists to the state is the key to bring normalcy,” Goswami said. “He said that his visit to Srinagar on the occasion of Deepwali will send out a signal that everything is fine in the valley and this will help promote tourism.”

Soon after landing at Srinagar, Prime Minister got a detailed representation by the state government seeking early acceptance of the memorandum that was submitted for rebuilding the flood-devastated Kashmir. However, Goswami pointed out that the detailed assessment of losses is yet to be completed by the state government.

“Prime Minister directed the concerned officers of the central government that as soon as the detailed assessment of the state government is completed, they should examine the memorandum quickly with due sensitivity,” Goswami said.

“Prime Minister particularly emphasised the need for providing immediate relief to the people residing in tents and temporary shelters, revival of economic activity in the stat, addressing sustainable livelihood issues, quick settlement of insurance claims, speedy restoration of public infrastructure, strengthen of State Disaster Management Authority and preparation of contingency plan for effective handling of such a challenge in future.”

Prime Minister’s Diwali visit came amid ceasefire violations at the IB and a separatist sponsored strike. He, however, ignored both the developments in