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LIAQAT ALI KHATANA
RAJOURI SEPTEMBER 01:-Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, Former Cabinet Minister and Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir BJP, on Monday toured the rain and flood-affected areas of Budhal and Khawas tehsils in district Rajouri, where heavy downpours, thunderstorms, landslides, and sinking land have wreaked havoc on local communities.
During his visit to the Badhal area, Zulfkar Ali witnessed a large portion of land sinking, posing a severe threat to more than 20 families. He urged the district administration to ensure immediate relocation of these families to safer zones to avert possible tragedies in the event of further rains. He highlighted that damages to property—including fully and partially collapsed houses, agricultural land, and standing crops—run into crores of rupees. In many places, residents are left without the resources to rebuild their homes.
At Kangota village in Budhal, he met families whose four houses were completely destroyed, forcing them to live under the open sky. Similar devastation was reported in Gundhi Panchayat, where land subsidence and house damages have severely affected residents.
Zulfkar Ali also visited Bhella Kanyaz in Khawas, where several households have incurred losses. The house of Tara Singh was reduced to rubble following landslides along the Khawas–Keri Road.
Interacting with affected families, Zulfkar Ali assured them that their grievances would be raised with the authorities. He informed them that the Union Home Minister is expected to visit the region soon and is likely to announce compensation measures.
Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the Union Territory administration, Zulfkar Ali said the current compensation of ₹1.4 lakh for fully damaged houses is grossly inadequate and does not even cover the cost of laying a foundation. He demanded enhanced financial assistance, immediate rehabilitation, and allotment of safe land for relocation of affected households.