SEP 03: Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Javed Rana, today chaired a detailed review meeting with the Poonch District Administration to assess the situation following the recent floods and to strengthen relief and restoration measures. The meeting focused on accelerating compensation to affected families, restoring disrupted essential services, and ensuring comprehensive disaster preparedness in the district.
Rana stressed that relief distribution must be swift and transparent, ensuring timely compensation reaches all those whose homes, crops, and livelihoods have been damaged. He directed the concerned officers to prioritize the restoration of essential services—electricity, water supply, health facilities, and road connectivity—to bring normalcy back to the flood-hit areas as quickly as possible.
Highlighting the importance of safety, the Minister instructed the administration to carry out immediate safety audits of schools, health centres, and other public institutions. This, he said, would ensure that critical infrastructure remains secure for both children and the general public in the aftermath of the disaster.
To strengthen preparedness for future calamities, Rana emphasized the need for inter-departmental coordination and proactive planning. He directed departments to maintain adequate buffer stocks of essential supplies—food grains, medicines, fuel, and drinking water—in vulnerable areas to prevent shortages during emergencies.
The Minister also called for scientific mapping of flood-prone and vulnerable zones in Poonch. He said that such mapping, backed by data and modern technology, would help the government devise long-term strategies for risk reduction, early warning systems, and resilient infrastructure planning.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Rana assured that rebuilding efforts in Poonch would go beyond immediate relief. “Our goal is to build back stronger, safer, and more resilient communities. This disaster is a reminder of the need for preparedness and sustainable development,” he remarked.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from various departments, who pledged coordinated efforts to ensure both immediate relief and long-term recovery in the district.
