Srinagar, September 22
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has sought liberal and an extraordinary package from the Central government for rehabilitation of the flood-affected people and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure in the state.

The Chief Minister, who had a detailed meeting with the visiting union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari here today, also sought a special package for the traders and business community, horticulturists, farmers and others affected by the floods as compensation.

The Chief Minister apprised the minister of the steps taken by the state government to provide succor to the flood-affected people and putting in place relief and rehabilitation measures besides making health institutions functional, providing ration and other essential commodities to the people and dewatering of water-logged areas particularly in the Srinagar city.

Omar discussed the aftermath of the devastating floods in the state which, besides claiming precious human lives, had severely damaged infrastructure, private property, residential houses, livestock and standing crops. Measures required to be taken for those hit hard by the devastating floods and putting life back on the tracks were discussed in detail in the meeting.

After the rescue operations launched by the Army and NDRF continued for the first two weeks, the government is now engaged in the relief and rehabilitation process. Posh areas of Srinagar city, including Raj Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Indira Nagar, Shivpora, Bemina and Qamarwari, are still under three to four feet water and the government is engaged in dewatering these areas.

Many people from the inundated localities of the capital city have been rendered homeless. Several of them are residing in temporary relief camps. Many displaced people have been living with their relatives at distant places after they survived the onslaught of the flood waters, the worst during the past over six decades