UMER MALIK
RAJOURI: MLA Rajouri Iftkhar Ahmed on Thursday called for a substantial enhancement of the compensation package for families affected by the recent devastating floods, stating that the existing relief provided under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is grossly inadequate to cover the actual losses suffered by the victims.
Addressing a press conference at the PWD Dak Bungalow in Rajouri, the legislator urged the Central Government to immediately revise the SDRF compensation policy to ensure flood-affected families receive adequate financial assistance for rehabilitation and rebuilding their lives.
Iftkhar Ahmed lauded the district administration for its prompt and coordinated response to the disaster. He particularly appreciated the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma and SSP Gaurav Sikarwar, saying that officers and officials of all departments worked tirelessly under extremely challenging circumstances to carry out rescue, relief and restoration operations.
He said the administration played a commendable role in restoring essential services and ensuring timely relief to affected families, adding that the entire team deserved appreciation for its dedication and commitment.
The MLA also appealed to industrialists, traders, businesspersons and financially well-off members of society to come forward and extend generous financial and humanitarian support to flood-hit families. He said it is the moral and social responsibility of every citizen to stand by those who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the disaster.
Seeking a comprehensive relief package from the Central Government, Iftkhar Ahmed demanded ₹20 lakh as compensation for families whose houses were completely destroyed, ₹10 lakh for severely damaged houses, and ₹5 lakh as special financial assistance for families who lost household belongings, essential items and life savings in the floods.
He said the recent floods in Rajouri had rendered hundreds of families homeless and devastated their livelihoods, making symbolic relief measures inadequate. He emphasized that a realistic and generous compensation package is essential to ensure the dignified rehabilitation of the affected population.
Expressing hope that the Central Government would respond positively, the MLA urged it to amend the existing SDRF disaster relief norms at the earliest so that every affected family receives adequate assistance to rebuild their lives with dignity.
