Complaints have been flooding from most parts of the district here that discrimination was being made among the flood victims in distribution of relief materials.
Recently, villagers in Sadar block staged a road blockade near Gujuri Bazar, alleging that they were not getting relief materials at all on political considerations. The CPI(M) also leveled similar allegations against the district administration. In a Press brief held here, former MlA Pradipta Panda alleging that several genuine beneficiaries were not getting relief and demanded that the relief be given under supervision of a panel comprising members from all political parties.
He said Phailin and subsequent floods had affected 90,308 persons in 299 villages under 28 gram panchayats in Remuna block. As the officials were entrusted with distribution of relief materials and cash compensation, they followed a discriminatory approach favouring those people who were supporters of the ruling party. As a result, a large number of people who were in distress but were not supporters of the ruling party were denied the relief and cash, he charged.
While the victims of 11 of 17 gram panchayats were not getting any succor at all, many got inadequate relief, he alleged. Since the approach is anti- people, all victims should be given polythene sheets, cattle feed, kerosene and house damage compensation as per rule under a monitoring committee of all party representatives, he demanded.
Panda warned that his party would hold a demonstration in front of the district collectorate on Thursday, if its demand was not fulfilled. Nirmal Nayak and Premaranjan Patra were among others present.