Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, today visited various flood-affected areas of Jammu district to take a first-hand account of the damages caused by recent floods.
The Minister was accompanied by legislators Sham Lal Sharma, Vikram Randhawa and Mohan Lal Bhagat, besides Vice Chairman District Development Council Jammu, Suraj Singh.
The Minister visited Nai Basti in Jammu North Assembly Constituency and Garkhal and Pargwal areas of Akhnoor constituency, where she interacted with the local population and enquired about the losses suffered by them due to the natural calamity. She also addressed public gatherings at these locations and assured the people of all possible support from the Government of India.
Speaking on these occasions, the MoS said that on the directions of Prime Minister, she is visiting flood affected areas and personally assessing the ground situation. She informed that the Prime Minister has been constantly reviewing the flood situation across all affected states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, and has shown deep concern for the hardships faced by the people.
She observed that the residents of border areas like Garkhal and Pargwal are confronted not only with the damages caused by floods but also with the persistent challenges arising from their proximity to the international border.
MoS Bambhaniya further said that she has toured different parts of Jammu and Kashmir for two days to prepare a comprehensive ground report. She added that the Union Home Minister had also recently visited the Union Territory to take stock of the situation.
The detailed report of her visit, she assured, will be submitted to the Government of India so that effective measures can be taken for the rehabilitation and restoration of normal life in the flood-affected areas. She reiterated that the Government accords highest priority to the welfare and relief of the people.
Additional District Development Commissioner Jammu, Sher Singh, along with other senior district officers, were also present during the Minister’s tour and briefed her about the extent of damages and the relief measures being undertaken at the local level.