Jammu, Jan 01 (KINS):Senior BJP leader and MLA Sham Lal Sharma on Thursday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Government for approving a 1,430 crore Special Central Assistance package for Jammu and Kashmir to restore public infrastructure damaged by flash floods and heavy rains in the Jammu region in August last year.
Accompanied by BJP National Secretary and MLA Dr Narinder Singh, and party MLAs Surjit Singh Salathia, Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, Ch. Vikram Randhawa, Arvind Gupta, along with BJP Media Incharge Dr Pardeep Mahotra, Sharma in a press conference said that the flash floods of August 24 caused extensive damage in Jammu, Samba, Reasi, Kishtwar and other affected areas, destroying roads, bridges, water supply schemes, power infrastructure, schools, health facilities and other essential public assets.
“Immediately after the disaster, BJP formed teams from senior leaders to grassroots workers to assess the damage. Based on these assessments, a detailed report was submitted to the Government of India,” Sharma said.
He said the Union Home Minister later visited the affected areas, held high-level meetings with the Lieutenant Governor and senior officials, and was briefed by BJP MLAs on the extent of the losses. Sharma added that a committee of senior Union ministers, headed by the Home Minister, was constituted under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi to fast-track relief measures.
“After sustained follow-up by BJP MPs and MLAs, including meetings with the BJP national leadership and the Union Finance Minister, the ₹1,430 crore Special Central Assistance package was sanctioned,” he said.
Sharma clarified that the assistance is over and above routine disaster relief funds and the regular Union Budget, and is meant specifically for recovery and disaster mitigation works. He said ₹944 crore has already been released as the first instalment under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), of which about ₹758 crore has been spent on project execution.
He further informed that 222 damaged projects across 27 government departments have been approved, with completion timelines ranging from January to August 2026, and that the utilisation of funds is being centrally monitored to ensure transparency.
Issuing a warning to the National Conference-led government, Sharma cautioned against any diversion or misuse of the funds meant exclusively for disaster-affected areas of the Jammu region.
“Earlier, out of 209 crore released under SDRF, 10 crore was arbitrarily distributed to every district, including those not affected by the disaster, while the worst-hit districts were ignored. This was a grave injustice to the people of Jammu,” he alleged.
Holding Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Finance and Relief and Rehabilitation portfolios, responsible, Sharma said the BJP would strongly oppose any repetition of such actions.
“Every rupee of this 1,430 crore belongs to the disaster-hit people of Jammu. BJP will ensure that the funds are used judiciously and transparently. Any attempt to divert this money will be exposed and opposed at every level,” he asserted.
Other BJP leaders present at the press conference reiterated that the Modi government has once again demonstrated its commitment to Jammu and Kashmir, and said the BJP will continue to act as a vigilant watchdog to safeguard the interests of disaster-affected people.(KINS)
