Peshawar (): Provincial Government has started compensation process to affected households amongst the earthquake affectees after conducting comprehensive damages verification survey in the affected Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has received damages reports for 92,072 fully/partially damaged houses from affected districts in the province. However, 52,374 households have been provided with compensation cheques till date.
In the past, after natural disaster occurrences in the province, completion of surveys for verification of damages had taken almost several months, this time Provincial Government has taken initiatives on war footings to complete the survey work within a week time. According to spokesperson PDMA, several survey teams comprising of members from Pak Army, revenue staff, Imam Masjid, elected representatives of local bodies and elders of the areas in each affected district were constituted for rapid completion of damages verification survey. As per figures received from Districts, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has transferred an amount of Rs. 11 billion to start the distribution of compensation cheques amongst the earthquake affectees. As per statements received from Malakand Division, in Shangla 7600, Chitral 11030, Swat 11616, Dir Lower 5546, Dir Upper 7018 affected households have been compensated so far, while 52,374 households have been compensated in the entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PDMA has directed district administrations to expedite the distribution of compensation cheques so as to complete the process within the stipulated time before onset of severe winter season. PDMA has also directed all Deputy Commissioners to establish Complaints/Grievances Redressal Cell to provide a window for lodging complaints to those left out affectees who were not included in the previous survey and if found genuine then compensate the affected families according to the prescribed policy.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority has also directed all Deputy Commissioners and head of Line Departments in each district to submit detailed reports along with PC-I of the damaged public properties i.e. Schools, Colleges, Health Institutions, Bridges, Roads etc. so as to include these into reconstruction and rehabilitation program.