leader of Opposition in the lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday demanded the dismissal of the Uttarakhand Government for its failure to take proper action during the recent floods. Initiating a discussing in the lok Sabha on this subject, she also demanded a complete ban on construction of dams on rivers like the Ganga to prevent catastrophes in future.
“The (Uttarakhand) State Government is ineffective and irresponsible. It has done nothing,” she said, claiming timely alerts could have saved many lives. She found fault with the rampant construction activities for the calamity. She noted that Uttarakhand floods affected the entire nation and that communication system in the affected areas could have been restored early. She wondered why the Government still does not have the exact number of people who died during the floods, especially in this age of advanced technologies.
Asking why there was inordinate delay in carrying out relief work, Swaraj said, “It is a dismal scenario”. Suggesting measures to prevent such calamities in future, she said all pilgrims should be asked to register themselves with the Government and micro chips should be provided so that they can be tracked.
According to her, roads have been washed away and there are connectivity problems. “If China can build all-weather roads in the border areas, why cannot we do thatIJ” she questioned. Swaraj demanded that Dhari Devi temple, which was affected by the floods, be restored immediately.