PDP Chief Urges CM to Push Centre on Unused Flood Funds

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take up with the Centre the issue of unutilised flood management packages sanctioned for the Union Territory. She stressed the urgent need to begin dredging and allied works in the River Jhelum to protect lives and property.

During a visit to flood-hit areas of Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, Mufti expressed solidarity with the affected families and highlighted the government’s failure to utilise funds sanctioned for flood control.

“I appeal to Omar Abdullah to raise with the Centre the issue of Rs 1,630 crore sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s package for the River Jhelum that remains unspent,” she said.

She further pointed out that the Union Territory had availed a Rs 1,500 crore World Bank loan for post-2014 flood reconstruction, yet the work remains incomplete.

“Dredging in Jhelum and Tawi rivers was meant to safeguard people from future floods. This issue must be prioritised to prevent further devastation,” Mufti said, warning that the situation could be far worse if ignored.

The PDP chief urged Abdullah to push for immediate measures including dredging, desilting, and construction of protective bunds along water bodies to secure people, property, and farmlands from recurring flood threats.