Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on November 21, laid the foundation stone for the construction of new houses for families affected by recent natural calamities and unprovoked Pakistani shelling in Poonch and Rajouri, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to full rehabilitation and protection of the rights of every affected household.
According to news agency media, the LG launched the construction of new homes under Operation Sindoor for 133 families in Poonch and 388 in Rajouri whose houses were completely damaged. The project is being undertaken with the support of the High-range Rural Development Society (HRDS India), which will build the houses free of cost.
Sinha said the Government of India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, is committed to ensuring complete rehabilitation of affected families. He noted that ex-gratia relief, government jobs to the Next of Kin (NoKs) of the deceased, and compensation for damages due to flash floods and shelling have already been disbursed in both districts.
Under SRE and Central schemes, over Rs 10 crore has been provided as relief to households in Poonch, he said, adding that “not a single family will be deprived of their rights and fundamental needs.”
So far, 13 NoKs have been provided government jobs in Poonch, and 14 families have received ex-gratia relief. Compensation has been given to 160 kachcha and 425 pucca house owners for reconstruction. In Rajouri, one NoK of a civilian killed during Operation Sindoor has been given a government job, while 465 damaged houses have been compensated.
Residential structures damaged due to natural calamities in Rajouri have also been restored with government support.
The LG expressed gratitude to the district administration, police, Army, CAPFs, emergency responders, civil society members, and volunteers for saving lives and supporting families during the calamities and cross-border shelling.
He praised HRDS India for its initiative, noting that the most urgent need for affected families is secure housing. Under the first phase, 1,500 three-bedroom prefabricated “Smart Houses” will be constructed across J&K and handed over within six months of foundation work. The homes will include additional facilities such as cowsheds, with HRDS India responsible for maintenance for the next five years. Solar panels will be installed in the second phase.
The total cost of constructing houses in Poonch and Rajouri is approximately Rs 51 crore, to be borne by HRDS India.
Sinha directed district authorities to ensure inclusion of all genuine beneficiaries, stating that there is no cap on the number of houses to be built. “This project is specifically designed for economically weak families. Their welfare is the greatest service,” he said.
Highlighting rapid infrastructure development in J&K, the LG said Poonch and Rajouri long neglected and impacted by terrorism are finally witnessing unprecedented progress. “A new ray of development has replaced decades of suffering and false promises,” he said.
Listing key infrastructure measures, Sinha said 1,125 bunkers have been completed in Poonch and a proposal for 5,693 more is pending approval. Rajouri has seen 2,923 bunkers constructed in the past five years, providing relief to border residents.
Additionally, 19 NoKs of terror-affected families in Rajouri and 9 in Poonch have been given government jobs. The LG instructed district and police officials to identify remaining eligible families and forward their cases for job appointments.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, senior police and civil officials, HRDS India CEO Krishnakumar S. Devan, BJP leader Ravinder Raina, and local residents attended the ceremony.
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