Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced a package of Rs. 745 crore for the reconstruction of flood-ravaged houses and hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Modi’s announcement came after he met political and civil society delegations at the Raj Bhavan here on conditions in the Valley after the September floods.
Earlier, the Prime Minister held a meeting at the airport with the Governor, Chief Minister and senior officials. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought liberal financial assistance from the Centre for reconstruction.
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Of the Centre’s package, Rs. 570 crore has been allocated for the reconstruction of houses and Rs. 175 crore for restoration of six hospitals.
Mr. Modi told reporters that he was “seriously considering” a demand from people whose houses were damaged that the money for reconstruction be directly sent to their bank accounts.
Among the mainstream political parties, the BJP, the National Conference and the PDP met the Prime Minister. The Congress, however, chose to stay away.
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Though Mr. Modi had announced on Twitter that he would spend Diwali with flood-affected people, he did not visit the relief camps or the neighbourhoods devastated by the floods where people continue to live in tents. Several flood-affected people also stood outside the Raj Bhavan hoping to meet Mr. Modi. “I wouldn’t have walked here all the way if he hadn’t said that he would celebrate the day with us,” said Haja Begum whose house caved in during the floods.