Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday laid the foundation stone for the construction of new houses for families affected by recent natural calamities and unprovoked Pakistani shelling during Operation Sindoor in Poonch and Rajouri.
A total of 133 houses in Poonch and 388 houses in Rajouri, which were completely damaged, will be rebuilt free of cost with the support of HRDS India.
LG Sinha reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to ensure complete rehabilitation of affected families and to improve the quality of life of every resident in both districts.
He noted that the administration has already provided ex-gratia relief, employment to the next of kin of deceased civilians, and compensation to families affected by flash floods and shelling.
Relief under SRE and central schemes amounting to over ₹10 crore has also been disbursed in Poonch.
So far:13 NoKs in Poonch and 1 NoK in Rajouri have been provided government jobs.14 families in Poonch received ex-gratia relief. 160 kachcha and 425 pucca house owners in Poonch received compensation. 465 damaged houses in Rajouri were provided financial assistance. Families whose houses were damaged by natural calamities in Rajouri have also been compensated.
The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the district administration, police, Army, CAPFs, volunteers, and civil society for their swift response during calamities and cross-border shelling. He also lauded HRDS India for its support.
Sinha said that 1,500 prefabricated three-bedroom Smart Houses will be built in the first phase across J&K and handed over within six months of the start of construction. These houses will include facilities such as cowsheds, with maintenance for the next five years handled by HRDS India. Solar panels will be added in the second phase.
The houses in Poonch and Rajouri will cost ₹51 crore, fully borne by HRDS India.
The LG instructed officials to ensure that all genuine beneficiaries are included, adding that there is no cap on the number of houses to be built. “This project is meant for the economically weak. Their welfare is our foremost duty,” he said.
Highlighting the rapid development witnessed under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Sinha said the people of Poonch and Rajouri, who suffered neglect for decades and endured terrorism, are finally witnessing real change. “A new phase of development has replaced decades of darkness and false promises,” he said.
Sharing progress on border infrastructure, the LG said 1,125 bunkers have been completed in Poonch, and a proposal for 5,693 more has been submitted. In Rajouri, 2,923 bunkers have been constructed in the last five years.
He added that 19 terror-affected families in Rajouri and 9 in Poonch have been given government jobs, and directed officials to identify left-out cases for early processing.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, senior officers of police and civil administration, HRDS India officials, and prominent citizens attended the ceremony.(KINS)
