CS Dulloo directs faster execution of MHA-approved ₹1,579 Cr disaster recovery package in J&K
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 16 (PTK): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today reviewed the implementation of the Recovery & Reconstruction (R&R) Plan–2025 and utilisation of disaster recovery assistance sanctioned for Jammu and Kashmir by the Government of India, directing departments to accelerate project formulation and execution while ensuring that reconstructed assets are made more resilient to future disasters.
The meeting was attended by senior officers from Finance, Public Works, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction and other departments, while Deputy Commissioners from all 20 districts participated virtually.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the ₹1,579.09 crore recovery package approved by the National Disaster Management Authority under the NDRF/SDRF R&R Funding Window. The package includes ₹1,534.58 crore for damages caused by floods, cloudbursts, landslides and other disasters, along with ₹44.52 crore for the dedicated Ramban District recovery plan following the April 2025 cloudburst and flash floods.
Departments have so far prepared costed action plans amounting to ₹1,225.78 crore, leaving ₹353.31 crore to be operationalised by the Jal Shakti and Agriculture sectors.
Emphasising that disaster recovery should go beyond simply restoring damaged infrastructure, Dulloo directed all executing agencies to strictly follow the “Build Back Better” approach and incorporate disaster-resilient features wherever required.
He also called for cross-verification of beneficiary lists and project proposals with major ongoing schemes, including PMAY-G, Jal Jeevan Mission, AMRUT, SASCI, NABARD, PMGSY and Samagra Shiksha, to prevent duplication and ensure optimal utilisation of public resources.
The Chief Secretary directed departments to incorporate appropriate resilience measures, including compliance with Seismic Zone IV/V requirements, elevated plinths and slope stabilisation measures wherever applicable. He further instructed that all projects be geo-tagged and uploaded on the BEAMS digital platform for unified monitoring of physical progress and financial utilisation.
During the sector-wise review, it was informed that the Social Sector has formulated plans worth ₹262.11 crore against an approved allocation of ₹289.40 crore. Under the Housing component, 100 per cent commitment of the ₹193.19 crore allocation has been achieved, covering 9,083 households, including 5,227 fully and 3,856 severely damaged houses.
The Roads & Bridges sector has planned utilisation of its entire ₹461.64 crore allocation for restoration of approximately 1,230.7 km of roads and 4,494.5 metres of bridges.
The Power sector has planned utilisation of ₹70.08 crore against ₹72.97 crore, targeting restoration of more than 21,000 poles, 1,100 circuit kilometres of conductors and 800 transformers, benefiting around 1.45 lakh consumers.
The meeting was also informed that Drinking Water & Sanitation has formulated plans worth ₹59.02 crore against ₹139.65 crore, while Irrigation & Flood Control has planned ₹93.01 crore against ₹199.79 crore.
In the productive sectors, Agriculture has formulated plans worth ₹168.36 crore against ₹223.67 crore, covering 45 packages related to crop inputs, land reclamation and restoration of research infrastructure at SKUAST-Jammu. Animal Husbandry & Livestock has planned ₹8.86 crore, while Horticulture has fully utilised its ₹3.87 crore allocation to support 3,493 farmers.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the dedicated ₹44.52 crore Ramban recovery plan prepared following the April 19–20, 2025 cloudburst and flash floods, covering Roads & Bridges, Irrigation & Flood Control, Education and Animal Husbandry & Livestock sectors.
Dulloo directed that household relief under the recovery programme be disbursed strictly according to the 30:40:30 progress-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) pattern, ensuring payments remain aligned with actual reconstruction progress.
He further instructed block, sub-divisional and district-level nodal officers to resolve E-Samadhan and CPGRAMS grievances within 15 days, making grievance redressal an integral part of the recovery monitoring mechanism.
The Chief Secretary stressed that the recovery programme must not only ensure timely restoration of damaged assets but also create a more resilient and disaster-ready Jammu and Kashmir, with every rupee sanctioned translating into durable infrastructure and tangible relief for affected communities.(PTK)
