KATRA: Senior Congress leader and Member Legislative Council (MLC) Jugal Kishore Sharma on Tuesday called on Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Katra.
MLC Jugal Kishore accompanied by local Congress leaders and prominent citizens of Katra while interacting with the CEO, SMVDSB, Dr Mandeep Bhandari sought Shrine Board’s assistance to rebuild those villages in Reasi Assembly constituency which were completely destroyed by the havoc caused by incessant rains, flash floods and landslides.
MLC said that as many as 127 families in Saddal village and 41 families in Seri-Mansoo village of Reasi Assembly segment are badly affected in the worst ever natural calamity the state ever witnessed.
Jugal further informed CEO Bhandari that the people in both these villages are rendered homeless by nature’s fury.
MLC urged the CEO that being a responsible organisation having vast resources, the Shrine Board should come forward with a helping hand for the marooned people residing in rain and landslide hit areas of Reasi.
He appealed to the CEO that though ration and other items are being provided to the affected people but the need of the hour is to start a rehabilitation process on a war footing in such villages and for that purpose Shrine Board’s assistance is what we are looking for.
After listening to the senior Congress leader, CEO Bhandari assured him and others accompanying him that Shrine Board would extend all necessary help and as a short term measure keeping in view the urgency of the situation, the Board will provide tin sheets to the affected households.
Bhandari further said that Board will also consider the demand of rehabilitation and reconstruction process of the affected houses in the Saddal and Seri-Mansoo villages adding that he would personally visit these areas to take stock of the impact of the mass devastation they faced in the natural disaster.