The announcement by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday that the government will provide five marlas of land to every flood-affected family rendered homeless is an important step towards rebuilding lives shattered by this year’s devastating floods. But the announcement is not an act of benevolence. It is the state discharging its constitutional duty to uphold the right to life and dignity of its citizens. This year has been catastrophic for Jammu and Kashmir. From Kishtwar to Kathua, from Jammu to Anantnag, homes were swallowed by waters, livelihoods destroyed and entire communities uprooted. Thousands of families now live in makeshift shelters as their sense of security has drowned along with their possessions. These tragedies, triggered by nature’s fury, were compounded by a glaring lack of preparedness. Experts have long warned of the fragile Himalayan ecology and the need for robust flood control measures. Yet dredging of rivers was ignored, drainage systems remained choked, and disaster management machinery stayed sluggish until the calamity struck. Seen against this backdrop of institutional failure, the government’s decision to allot land is less a gesture of generosity and more a necessity. Having a shelter is not a luxury but the bedrock of survival. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the right to life under Article 21 includes the right to live with dignity, which in turn requires secure housing. Without a roof, families are condemned to perpetual displacement and dependent on the state’s charity instead of reclaiming their agency. Some might argue that five marlas land is too little. But the significance lies in possession. A plot of land provides more than just physical space. It provides psychological security, a sense of belonging and the possibility of rebuilding futures on one’s own terms. For families in J&K who were stripped of everything in recent floods, it is the beginning of dignity restored. However, the government needs to remain cautious. Far too often, lofty announcements have withered in the maze of red tape, corruption, and delays. The allocation must be transparent, timely and fair, ensuring that vulnerable families are not pushed to unsafe zones prone to fresh disasters. Land without basic amenities—water, sanitation, road access—would only deepen marginalization. Rehabilitation must be holistic, not half-hearted. The floods of 2025 have left scars that will not heal easily. At least 150 lives were lost. But the natural calamity also exposed the sheer neglect of administration. If the government now seeks to make amends, it must do so with sincerity, efficiency, and accountability. By giving land to the displaced, the government has taken a step in the right direction.