Baramulla, July 09: Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday said that if elected to power, his government will ensure all-round development of the far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
The former chief minister gave this assurance to the people after paying obeisance at the revered shrine of Rangia Imam at Shahdara Sharief Uri.
Addressing the people there, he said, “The people of Uri, Karnah, Poonch where massive earthquake struck on October 8, 2005, are fully aware of the immediate relief and long term rehabilitation measures which I as chief minister implemented. I ordered fast relief in the form of food, shelter and medical aid while serious patients were evacuated in helicopters. Those requiring basic needs were attended to immediately. Your new houses stand testimony to my sanctioning of grant for quake hit victims.”
Recalling his tour of the Kamalkote region after the earthquake, Azad said the area witnessed massive destruction as the casualties here also outnumbered other places in J&K. “With death and destruction all over, the then administration on my direction swung into action by immediate relief, assessment of damage by the revenue department and disbursement of the sanctioned amount to all quake victims who were able to construct houses and start life afresh.”
The DPAP chairman said not only were new houses constructed but fresh roads were built to the last village of Mandiyaan in Kamalkote. “All the new roads in Uri, Karnah, Rajouri and Poonch were constructed during my tenure under the PMGSY programme which I got approved from Centre for J&K,” he said.
“The role of the former cabinet minister and senior DPAP leader Taj Mohiuddin in reconstruction post-earthquake was eulogised by all those who spoke on the occasion,” the statement said.
Among those present on the occasion included Vice Chairman G M Saroori, Chief Spokesperson Salman Nizami, District President Shoaib Nabi Lone, General Secretary Province Shafiq Shabnam, Haji Musadiq Provincial Vice President, Tariq Tenga Senior DPAP leader, Umar Kakroo Working President, Tasleema Akthar Secretary, Bharat Kumar Chairman MC Uri, Mudasir Ah Tantray Acting Chairman MC Baramulla, Gurdeep Kaur, Fareeda Begum and others.
