The disaster affected people in Joshimath block are yet to receive relief and rehabilitation from the Government even after over seven months since disaster wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand. Many of the people whose homes were either destroyed or damaged are yet to be rehabilitated, though the State Government had claimed that the affected people would be rehabilitated swiftly.
The affected people complain that the Congress-led State Government appears to be busy resolving internal party conflicts and preparing for the upcoming lok Sabha election rather than on ensuring the welfare of the disaster victims.
last year’s disaster had caused major damage in areas of Chamoli district, either destroying or damaging homes, farmland, roads and infrastructure. Bhyundar, Pulna, Pandukeshwar, lambagad, Dadmi Ganai and other areas had suffered such damage in the Joshimath development block with many of the families residing here being marked for rehabilitation.
However, while some of the affected are still awaiting rehabilitation, there are also many families which are still waiting for monetary compensation from the Government.
On Monday, the disaster affected people of Ganai Dadmi protested against failure of the Government to provide them the relief and rehabilitation promised after the disaster last year. There are many roads in the disaster affected areas of Joshimath which have not yet been rebuilt or repaired.
The Helang-Urgam motor road has remained closed since the disaster. The residents of Urgam valley continue to face hardships for procuring ration and other essential commodities. Some of the affected families in Pulna Bhyundar and Pandukeshwarare yet to receive plots for rehabilitation.
Such families have continued to live in rented accommodations. Parvati Devi, a widow from Pandukeshwar, lost her home and most of her possessions in the disaster but has received nothing more than `two lakh in monetary compensation. She continues to live in a rented accommodation as the Government has not yet provided a plot of land for her to build a home for herself.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat avers that the State Government was committed to ensure the welfare of the disaster affected people, but the functioning of the Government machinery has failed to provide the desired assistance to the disaster victims. It remains to be seen whether the CM is able to ensure the required action without further delay.