Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Saturday laid the foundation stone for construction of new homes for families who were affected by recent natural calamities in Ramban and Udhampur.
189 completely damaged homes in Ramban will be constructed at a cost of Rs 18 crore. In Udhampur, 341 fully damaged homes will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 34 crore. The construction cost of these new three-bedroom prefabricated Smart Homes for the affected families will be borne by the High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India).
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to HRDS-India for the noble initiative to shape the better future of flood-affected families. He directed the district administration for inclusion of all the genuine beneficiaries.
“I will personally ensure that every poor affected family has a roof over their heads,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
In the first phase, a total of 1,500 homes will be built across the Union Territory for families affected by recent natural calamities and unprovoked Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor. Construction to be completed within six months from the start of the foundation work. Specific techniques will be used to build comfortable, stronger and more resilient pre-fabricated homes.
HRDS-India will provide free life insurance coverage to all family members for the next 15 years. HRDS-India will also provide free health checkups to all family members every year. The houses will include specific facilities like cowsheds. HRDS-India will also cover maintenance for the next 5 years. Massive coverage of beneficiaries who were affected during Operation Sindoor and natural calamity make this initiative historic in scale.
The Lieutenant Governor also commended the district administration, police, army, CAPFs, Disaster Response forces, emergency responders, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, J&K Bank, civil society members, volunteers and everyone involved in the relief and rescue operations.
The Lieutenant Governor reaffirmed the commitment of the UT administration, under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to eliminate social imbalances and disparities to ensure social and economic justice and secure the future of Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir.
He stated after 2019, we have worked with new energy to give impetus to the making of a new J&K UT.
“A strong foundation has been laid in past 5 years and keeping sustainable development and individual growth paramount, we are committed to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people.
With the strong will power, we have built a new J&K UT which takes pride in the glory of ancient culture and enjoys the modern infrastructure of 21st century. We have built a J&K, which provides adequate facilities and new opportunities to poor, tribals, farmers, women and youth,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor also shared the transformative and speedy development of Ramban and Udhampur over the past five years, underscoring the administration's commitment to equitable growth.
"Our effort was to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last mile. Infrastructure projects were completed at a faster speed and schemes were implemented to integrate all sections of society into the mainstream of development,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also highlighted that the Government of India has allocated Rs 355 Crore to Ramban and Rs 328.51 crore to Udhampur under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-4). This substantial allocation is earmarked for the completion of critical road projects to connect the unconnected habitations.
13 Next of Kins (NoKs) of terror victims in Ramban were provided government jobs. The remaining eligible families will receive their appointments soon, he further said.
Ms Saritha P. Menon, Administrator, HRDS India; Shri Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Shri Shridhar Patil, DIG, Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range; Ms Saloni Rai, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur; Shri Mohammad Alyas Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, senior officials of police and civil administration, prominent citizens and people from all walks of life attended the foundation stone laying ceremony in both the districts.
Shri Lal Chand, Chairman, District Development Council, Udhampur; and representatives of various social and political organisations were also present.