SRINAGAR: A delegation of the Kashmir Society led by its Chairman, Khawaja Farooq Renzu Shah, met Governor, N.N Vohra, here at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday.
The delegation apprised the Governor about the colossal damage suffered and the varied hardships faced by the people affected by the recent floods in the Valley. The members of the delegation, who hail from different vocations and areas of the Valley, stressed the urgent need of an adequate relief and rehabilitation package being secured from the Central Government. They demanded Rs. 25 lakh for fully damaged houses and Rs 10-15 lakh for other damaged buildings. The delegation also demanded that the higher professional and non-professional examinations shall be held in early November 2014 and interest on loans advanced in the horticulture and agriculture sectors should be waived-off.
The delegation also put forth their suggestions regarding the restoration of Pashmina shawls in the Valley.
The Governor assured the delegation that their demands would be taken up with the government.
Meanwhile, Chairman, All J and K Third Front, A.G Lone accompanied by Secretary Ghulam Hassan Mir, also met Governor and highlighted various problems being faced by the people in the aftermath of devastating floods in the Valley. They appealed for the most urgent measures being taken for rehabilitation of the people before the onset of winter. Lone also apprised the Governor about the emerging political scenario in the context of the forth coming Assembly elections in the State.
Director Conservation, National Museum Delhi (NMD), R.P. Savita, also called on Governor.
Governor discussed with the Director the high urgency of every possible step being taken to restore the paintings, books, manuscripts, artifacts and other invaluable items which were damaged during the recent floods, in different libraries and museums of the Valley.
Savita informed that he, and his colleagues, had undertaken a rapid appraisal of the damage in the SPS Museum, Srinagar, and were confident that barring papier-mâché items which were reported to be altogether destroyed, the other items would be largely salvaged. The Governor was reassured to learn that the invaluable Gilgit manuscripts were safe.
Spokesman of the Raj Bhavan revealed that soon after the floods the Governor had spoken to the Central Ministry of Culture and sought their urgent help for the SPS Museum.
Chief General Manager, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Jammu and Kashmir Circle, R.N. Sudhakar met Governor and informed him about the various problems which had been encountered by his organisation in bringing about the restoration of telecommunication services in the aftermath of recent floods in the State. He also apprised the Governor that the steps so far, taken to address these difficulties, have led to a great deal of progress being achieved in the replacement of Transmission Equipment at Lal Chowk, in partially restoring the mobile network, landline telephones, wireless telephone lines, and Internet facility and that the problems shall relate to the replacement of the underground cables, which is likely to be done by end of next month.
Sudhakar conceded the Governor’s suggestion that the consumers must not be billed for the current billing cycle and, in fact, given certain concessions.
The Governor emphasised the need for reliable alternate wireless connectivity in the State, which can be used at the time of disasters. He stressed the importance of telecommunication facilities for the revival of economy of J and K after this mega disaster.