LG Manoj Sinha Lays Foundation Stone for Construction of New Houses in Poonch & Rajouri HRDS India to Build 521 New Houses for Calamity- and Shelling-Affected Families; 1,500 Smart Homes Planned in First Phase Across J&K

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

RAJOURI NOV 21:-Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today laid the foundation stone for the construction of new houses for families affected by recent natural calamities and unprovoked Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

Under the project, 133 fully damaged houses in Poonch and 388 in Rajouri will be rebuilt free of cost with assistance from the High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India).

Reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lieutenant Governor said that the administration is fully dedicated to the complete rehabilitation of affected families and to improving the quality of life in both border districts.

The LG highlighted that the government has already taken extensive measures to support affected families:

Ex-gratia relief and government jobs were provided to the Next of Kin (NoKs) of deceased civilians.

In Poonch, 13 NoKs received government jobs, and 14 families were provided ex-gratia relief.

Compensation was provided to 160 Kachcha and 425 Pucca house owners for rebuilding their homes.

In Rajouri, the NoK of a civilian martyred during Operation Sindoor received a government job, and 465 damaged houses were compensated.

Residential houses damaged due to natural calamities were also provided financial assistance.

The LG emphasized that no family will be deprived of their rights and fundamental needs, and commended the district administration, police, Army, CAPFs, volunteers, and civil society for their efforts in saving lives and supporting communities during crises. He also lauded HRDS India for its humanitarian initiative.

1,500 Smart Houses in First Phase

The Lieutenant Governor announced that 1,500 three-bedroom prefabricated Smart Houses will be constructed across the UT in the first phase, to be handed over within six months of foundation work. These homes will include:

Cowsheds

Provision for solar panels in the second phase

Five-year maintenance by HRDS India

The Poonch and Rajouri houses alone will cost Rs. 51 crore, fully funded by HRDS India.

LG Sinha directed district authorities to ensure inclusion of all genuine beneficiaries, noting that there is no cap on the number of houses to be constructed.

“This project is meant for the economically weaker sections. Their welfare is the greatest service,” he said.

Key Development Interventions in Poonch & Rajouri

The LG underlined the unprecedented pace of development in the region in recent years:

1,125 bunkers completed in Poonch; proposal for 5,693 additional bunkers submitted.

2,923 bunkers constructed in Rajouri over the past five years, providing safety to border residents.

19 NoKs of terror-affected families in Rajouri and 9 in Poonch provided government jobs.

District and Police Administrations instructed to identify left-out terror-affected families for job appointments.

He noted that the people of Poonch and Rajouri, who suffered decades of neglect and cross-border terrorism, are today witnessing a new era of security, development, and empowerment.

Event Attendees

The ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; DGP Nalin Prabhat; Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu Shri Bhim Sen Tuti; DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Tejinder Singh; Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma; Deputy Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma; CEO HRDS India Krishnakumar S. Devan; senior BJP leader and former MLA Ravinder Raina; along with senior officials, prominent citizens, and local residents.