MLA Budhal Javed Iqbal Meets Flood-Affected Families in Budhal ; Demands ten thousand crore Relief Package for Jammu & Kashmir

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

ZAHID SHAH 

BUDHAL SEPTEMBER 08:-In the aftermath of the devastating floods and incessant rains that ravaged several villages in the Budhal assembly constituency, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mr. Javed Iqbal Choudhary held a high-level public meeting in Budhal to assess the damage and coordinate immediate relief efforts.

Meeting Joined by local officials, panchayat representatives, and residents from the worst-hit areas, Mr. Choudhary personally interacted with the affected families to understand the extent of their losses. Expressing deep empathy, he assured the victims that the government stands in solidarity with them and that swift, transparent, and comprehensive relief measures are being prioritized.

MLA Budhal announced that compensation would be provided to families whose homes were fully or partially damaged, with a transparent verification process already underway at the panchayat level. He directed concerned departments to begin immediate restoration of damaged roads, bridges, and essential infrastructure to reconnect isolated villages and restore normalcy.

“The restoration of basic connectivity and essential services must not be delayed. Effective coordination among all government departments is crucial at this time he said.Speaking to correspondents in Budhal after the meeting, Mr. Choudhary strongly criticized the Union Government’s recent announcement of 209 crore in flood relief for Jammu & Kashmir.

209 crore is not a special flood relief package. It is simply the routine annual share from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF),” he told the media.

“This amount is grossly inadequate. It cannot even rebuild a single municipal ward of Jammu city, let alone address the scale of destruction we are facing in Budhal, Rajouri, Poonch, or the rest of the state.”
He revealed that Budhal constituency alone has recorded flood damages exceeding 200 crore, making it evident that a much larger, targeted relief package is essential.

Mr. Choudhary appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to immediately press the Union Government for a ten thousands crore relief and reconstruction package for Jammu & Kashmir. He also suggested that an all-party delegation should meet the Prime Minister to underscore the urgency of the situation.

“In a federal system, the Union Government cannot turn a close eyes . It has both a constitutional and moral responsibility to extend timely and adequate support to Jammu & Kashmir in this hour of crisis,” he asserted.

Urging unity across party lines, Mr. Choudhary appealed to the Leader of the Opposition and all BJP MLAs to raise their voices in favor of flood-affected people, especially in the Jammu region which has borne the brunt of the disaster.

Since the BJP enjoys a massive mandate in Jammu, it must act responsibly. The people of this region deserve a dedicated and sizable relief package,” he said.Residents expressed hope that the reassurances made during the visit would translate into timely assistance and long-term rehabilitation for the flood-hit communities.