Jammu, Aug 29 (KNO): Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma Friday undertook an extensive tour of flood-affected areas in Khour Sub-Division, covering Dhar Khour, Channi Dawnoo, Thangar, and Block Samwan to assess the damage caused by recent floods and also oversee ongoing relief and rehabilitation measures.
During the visit, the Minister interacted with affected families and local representatives, assuring them that the Government is committed to their welfare. He expressed solidarity with the victims and reiterated that providing timely relief and rehabilitation remains the topmost priority of the Government.
The Minister issued on-spot directions to officials from Food, Civil Supplies, Transport, Rural Development, PHE,PDD , and other line departments. He instructed them to ensure uninterrupted supply of food grains, LPG, and other essentials, restore road connectivity and transport facilities on war footing.
He also directed to deploy health teams and undertake sanitation drives to prevent water-borne diseases. He also called for complete crop and property damage assessments to facilitate compensation and also providing temporary shelters and community kitchens wherever required.
While interacting with the affected population , the Minister said: “The Government stands shoulder to shoulder with every affected family. Our collective focus is to restore normalcy at the earliest, safeguard public health, and ensure that adequate compensation reaches the victims without delay. No family should feel left behind in this hour of distress.”
The Minister appreciated the efforts of the district administration, frontline workers, and volunteers engaged in relief and rescue operations. He directed officers to remain stationed in the affected areas till the situation normalizes and emphasized on close inter-departmental coordination for effective response.
Local residents, on the occasion, raised issues related to damaged houses, irrigation channels, and ration supply. The Minister gave immediate instructions for redressal and assured the public that their concerns would be addressed on priority.
While reaffirming the Government’s commitment for proper rehabilitation of the affected population, the Minister said, “We will not rest until relief reaches every household and rehabilitation is ensured. Together, we will overcome this crisis with resilience and determination.”
The Minister was accompanied by senior officers of the district administration and sectoral officers of concerned departments—(KNO)