JK govt to seek Rs 607 cr from Centre as quake relief

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government will seek a relief package of Rs 607 crore from the Centre for the earthquake-affected areas of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts of the state.

The state government will submit the relief proposal to the Centre for funding very soon, an official spokesman said.

He said the proposal for seeking relief from the Centre was approved at a cabinet meeting of the state government chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here.

According to an assessment carried out by the revenue department of the three districts, at least 80,830 (43 per cent) families were affected while 72,324, or 40 per cent, of the houses suffered damage.

Among these, as many as 1,139 were destroyed, 14,264 severely damaged and 56,846 houses partially damaged.

Besides, 802 schools were destroyed apart from damage to 100 religious places.

Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban were worst hit in the May 1 quake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter Scale, which also killed two persons.