PDP MPs, MLAs to donate month's salary for relief operations: Mufti Mohammad Sayeed

SRINAGAR: Calling for a massive and coordinated effort to rebuild flood-ravaged Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said his party legislators and parliamentarians would donate one month's salary for relief and rehabilitation.

He said the party MLAs and MPs would also utilise their constituency development fund for the relief and rehabilitation work.

"The whole country must rise as one to support the residents of Jammu and Kashmir in their hour of need, as it has done earlier when natural disasters have struck other parts of the country," Sayeed said.

He called for harmonising the relief and rehabilitation process by constituting an over-arching body, with representatives from all the political parties in the State, to coordinate the rehabilitation work.

Emphasising on the co-operation from all sectors to cope with the prevailing grave situation in the State, especially in Kashmir Valley, the former chief minister said there is a pressing need to intensify rescue, relief and rehabilitation operation by utilising all resources in terms of finances, machinery, equipment and manpower.

He said PDP would extend to the State Government whatever cooperation is called for to support the residents of Jammu and Kashmir in their hour of need.

Expressing dismay over the tardy response of the State Government to the catastrophe, Sayeed said despite being forewarned by various experts about the looming disaster, the Government was caught napping resulting in colossal loss to the human lives and property.

"Ironically, the State Government is yet to implement the 10-point plan for relief and rehabilitation presented by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti at the All Party Meeting convened by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 14," he said.

Complimenting various agencies including Army, Air Force, security forces and police for their role in rescue and relief operations, Sayeed said its is heartening to see the commendable role played by Kashmir's promising young generation in saving precious lives and reaching out to the people in need.

He lauded PDP cadres for their role in rescue operations and asked them to continue working with the same dedication during the ongoing relief and rehabilitation process.

Sayeed also expresses condolences to the bereaved families.