Srinagar, 20 November 2024: Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, assured on Wednesday that the Jammu and Kashmir government is committed to permanently rehabilitating the families affected by the recent fire in Rainawari and the inhabitants of Dal Lake.
During a visit to the fire-hit families in the interiors of Dal Lake, Wani announced financial assistance of Rs 1.30 lakh for each family under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), along with an additional Rs 1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
"The Dal Lake residents face heightened fire risks in winter, compounded by limited access for fire services in the interiors," he said.
Wani also mentioned the government's earlier initiative to rehabilitate Dal dwellers at Rakh-e-Arth and reiterated its commitment to relocating houseboats and providing safer living conditions.
Efforts are underway to identify land for the permanent rehabilitation of the affected families, according to Wani.
“The Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar is working on this and will finalize a suitable location,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Satish Sharma, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, assured immediate relief in the form of free ration for three months to the displaced families. “Our department will ensure the ration reaches the affected families by this evening,” he said.
Sharma expressed relief that no lives were lost in the fire, which destroyed at least 18 residential structures in the Rainawari area.