Efforts on to restore highway, residential areas in Ramban: CM

Srinagar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that the efforts are being made to restore the National Highway and the residential area in Ramban affected by the recent landslides triggered by the heavy rainfall.

Talking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said that he is himself visiting Ramban today to assess the ground situation and will chair a meeting in this regard.

“In some Ramban areas, the situation has worsened, I had sent Deputy Chief Minister and two other local MLAs to the spot to assess the situation,” he said, adding that the efforts are being made to restore the highway immediately and also the the residential areas affected by the landslides.

The Chief Minister added that the arrangements are being made for the relief while the PM relief fund and other funds will be tapped so that the people get compensation.

However, he said, he want to assure people that there is no shortage of essentials and there was no need for hoarding. “The government and officials have been strictly directed to act tough against the black marketing and unnecessary price hike while police will also be involved to act against these persons and if needed, the arrests will also be made in this regard.”

He appealed people to inform the government in case of black marketing.

He added that Srinagar-Jammu highway is presently closed, but if the need arises, Mughal Road will be used to bring the essentials.

Moreover, the Chief Minister, while replying to a query, said that the Supreme Court has been authorized to review the actions taken by the Centre or any other government. “Didn’t we approach SC on Article 370 issue, the Parliament’s action was reviewed. Was not the emergency declared during Indira Gandhi’s tenure challenged in the court. Approaching the court should not be politicized. The court has its own jurisdiction and the legislation has it own.”

“In Assembly we have done whatever we could have done and later we approached the court where we have got some relief for now.

There are no negative results, at least the SC while discussing the case have compelled the Centre to move backwards. For now, the interference of non-muslims has been stopped and self declared waqf is not being stopped. Let SC do its job, we will wait for its verdict,” he added. —(KNO)