Warns NC Govt against any misuse of disaster relief funds
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Senior BJP leader and MLA Sham Lal Sharma, accompanied by BJP National Secretary and MLA Dr. Narinder Singh, MLAs Surjit Singh Salathia, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal, Ch. Vikram Randhawa, Arvind Gupta, and BJP Media Incharge Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, addressed a press conference at the BJP headquarters, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, today.
Addressing the media, Sham Lal Sharma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Government for approving a Special Central Assistance (SCA) package of Rs 1,430 crore for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The assistance has been sanctioned to restore public infrastructure damaged during the devastating flash floods and continuous rains that affected the Jammu region on August 24 and thereafter. Sharma stated that the natural disaster caused unprecedented destruction across districts including Jammu, Samba, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban, Kathua, Udhampur, and parts of Rajouri, resulting in massive damage to roads, bridges, drinking water schemes, power infrastructure, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and other essential public assets. He said that immediately after the disaster, the BJP mobilised teams from senior leadership to grassroots workers to assess the damage on the ground. Based on these assessments, a detailed report was prepared and submitted to the Government of India. Subsequently, the Union Home Minister visited the affected areas, held meetings with the Lieutenant Governor and senior officers, and was briefed by BJP MLAs about the extent of losses suffered by the people.
Sham Lal further informed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a committee of senior Union Ministers headed by the Union Home Minister was constituted to expedite relief and rehabilitation measures. A delegation comprising four MPs and seven BJP MLAs from Jammu and Kashmir met the central leadership in New Delhi, including BJP National President JP Nadda and the Union Finance Minister, following which the ?1,430 crore assistance package was approved. He clarified that the sanctioned amount is separate from the regular Union Budget and routine disaster funds and is a targeted capital investment for recovery and disaster mitigation. Of the total amount, ?944 crore has already been released as the first instalment under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), and Rs 758 crore has been spent on approved works so far. Sharma said that 222 major damaged projects across 27 government departments have been approved with timelines for completion between January and August 2026, and the entire process is being centrally monitored to ensure transparency and timely execution. Sham Sharma cautioned the NC-led government against any misuse or diversion of funds meant exclusively for disaster-hit areas of the Jammu region. He alleged that earlier SDRF funds were distributed indiscriminately, ignoring severely affected districts, and held Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responsible for the same.
He asserted that the BJP would act as a vigilant watchdog to ensure that every rupee of the assistance reaches the rightful beneficiaries. All BJP MLAs present reiterated that the Modi Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to Jammu and Kashmir and assured continued monitoring of relief and rehabilitation works.
