STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed satisfaction over the observations made by parliamentary standing committee on water resources on completion of its visit to flood affected areas yesterday. The party expects that the recommendations being made by the panel which they have made public will be implemented by the Union Government without any delay.
The Rs 400 crore flood project already approved is likely to bring relief to the flood victims and will also help in the reconstruction and rehabilitation work already being carried out by the State Government on its own resources.
PDP General Secretary Nizamudin Bhat said that party is happy that the visiting panel has acknowledged that there were several setbacks in the Indus-Water treaty that has brought almost a disaster to the State. He said that it has been always the view of the party that the water resources unconditionally belong to the State which has the absolute right on the benefits that could accrue out of it.
Bhat said that since the panel has already pointed out the flaws in the treaty one can hope that the issue will be settled soon with an acknowledgement of State’s proprietorship not only on the water resources but in the hydel projects raised out of these over the years.
Bhat said that declaring September floods a national disaster is recognition of the fact that Centre is concerned and present dispensation has been able to exhort upon the Union Government to lend sufficient support for adequate relief to victims and restoration of damaged infrastructure besides the support for flood prevention and management.
Bhat said the Party President Mehbooba Mufti has made relentless efforts to bring necessary succour to the flood victims and has from time to time in and outside Parliament pleaded the State’s case which is yielding dividends. Other party MP’s too have been active in seeking central attention and assistance to meet the crisis that has arisen in the aftermath of September floods. Party MP Tariq Hameed Karra accompanied the parliamentary panel which helped the later to make out a just case for generous assistance.
Party appreciates the commendable efforts made by the party law makers and expects that State will soon be equipped with sufficient finances to meet the requirement for relief, rehabilitation and flood prevention and management.