Utkal Bharat president and former MP of Baleswar Kharabela Swain on Thursday alleged that there is large-scale discrimination in relief distribution both by the BJD and Congress, for which many genuine calamity victims are deprived of succour.
He told a news conference here, “I have seen some patches where victims complain that they didn’t get any relief materials as the local leaders distributed them among Congress supporters stating that the items were given to them by Baleswar MP Mr (Srikant) Jena). In other patches, similar complaints were received against BJD leaders, including sarpanches.”
He made some suggestions which could reduce the flood damages. “First of all, PMGSY roads have very good purposes in rural areas, yet they have become the cause of miseries as hardly any arrangement is made for passage of rainwater. There should be sufficient causeways or vents. The areas remain waterlogged state for a longer period, not only causing damage to agriculture but also to mud houses.”
“All the houses which are severely damaged or have collapsed should be made concrete under any scheme like the IAY irrespective of categories BPl and APl,” he said, lamenting that mobilised funds for construction of concrete houses are lying unspent with the district administration. “In 2007and 2008, there were massive floods. I as MP could mobilise about Rs 3 crore by approaching various public, private and charitable organisations. But hardly any amount was utilised as elections were held in 2009 which I lost. Sadly, the rest amount is still unspent,” he said.
He said present Congress MP Jena recently conducted a review meeting on floods in Collector’s office being accompanied by DCC president Kartick Mohapatra. In what capacity was Mohapatra there as he is not an MlA or MP or and Minister, Swain asked.
He also attacked the BJD, stating that there is no difference between the approaches of the BJD and the Congress.