PM's Kashmir flood relief package draws flak

Aday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 745- crore relief package for the flood-hit people of Jammuand Kashmir, both mainstream and separatist parties on Friday termed the package a “joke” on the people of the state.

Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani termed Modi’s relief package a “cruel
joke”. In a statement he urged the world community and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to play their role in rebuilding flood-ravagedKashmironhumanitarian
grounds.

Geelani’s viewswere echoed by state Congress president Saifuddin Sozwhotermed the
package as a crude joke on the people of State. He also supported Geelani’s demand for
allowing international aid to the flood victims of Kashmir.

“Since he (Modi)was giving a message to Kashmir, he should have been conscious of
the level of devastation that had taken place in Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir. His
announcement of package of Rs. 575 crore for reconstruction of houses to the affected
people is seen here as a situation of adding insult to the injury,” Soz said in a statement.

“Modi should also allow international aid forpeopleof the state,”the state Congress chief
demanded. Militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen also termed Modi’s visit toKashmir  as “rubbing salt over wounds of people”.