J&K floods: Congress hails role of armed forces

NEW DELHI: Congress hailed the air force and army for the massive rescue and relief efforts in the flood-ravaged Jammu & Kashmir, a day after senior party leaders praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prompt response to the tragedy.
The party stepped in by sending relief material, including boats, medicines and tents, besides sending 100 volunteers to the flood-affected areas even as Congress-ruled states donated Rs 30 crore.The party has also asked these states to donate liberally for the flood victims.
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who is abroad for a health check-up, is in constant touch with the party functionaries on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir.
"Sonia has also instructed Congress CMs to contribute with all means to the relief and rehabilitation efforts in J&K," said party spokesperson Salman Khurshid.
She is likely to visit the state after her return to the country next week.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has asked the Indian Youth Congress, NSUI and Seva Dal volunteers to help in relief measures in the state.
Party general secretary Ambika Soni, in-charge of the state, will visit on Thursday, taking along with her relief material -- packaged food items, medicines and water purifier tablets.
The party has contributed 25 boats, both collapsible and motor equipped, for assistance besides setting up a special relief camp at Pathankot for assistance to flood victims.
Khurshid said the Youth Congress has sent about 100 volunteers to the state and all state units are in the process of dispatching relief material and teams of volunteers.
A special bank account has been opened by the Youth Congress to collect donations at the Rail Bhavan branch of SBI.
Congress, which is in alliance with ruling National Conference, however, ducked questions on charges of poor rescue and relief efforts by the Omar Abdullah government.
"This is not the time for asking for accountability," said Khurshid, replying to a volley of questions over the "failure" of the state administration to rise up to the challenge in the wake of what is seen as the worst floods in the state since independence.