Genuine relief and rehabilitation measures remain missing on ground in Ramban tragedy: JKPC Chief Sajad Lone

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, Apr 22 (KNS): Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sajad Gani Lone on Monday criticised the government for failing to move beyond “optics” in the wake of the massive destruction caused by heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and hailstorms across Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement to media, MLA Sajad Lone said the inhabitants of Ramban and other affected areas are visibly angry and have run out of patience, as the administration has limited its response to “VIP visits and photo ops” while genuine relief and rehabilitation measures remain missing on the ground.
He said, “Could the government please move beyond optics and the stale, tried, tested, and failed VIP visits? We do understand that it is an unforeseen calamity and some slack in starting relief work is understandable.
But the inhabitants are visibly angry and have run out of patience.”
“Now that the photo ops are done with, I hope the government has a concrete plan to facilitate relief and rehabilitation,” he added.

Lone desired that the government must take up relief measures on a war-footing and recommend to the Centre to declare the calamity as a disaster of ‘severe nature,’ given its scale and intensity. He also urged the government to seek a special package for the rehabilitation of affected families.(STC)