The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Governor SC Jamir demanding formation of all-party committees, both at State and district-level, to oversee the ongoing relief and restoration works in the cyclone and flood-ravaged districts, apart from involving National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to supervise the reconstruction activities of infrastructure projects.
The PCC said that due to Phailin and the resultant floods, 1.32 crore people in 18,374 villages of 18 districts have been affected, 44 people have died and thousands of houses have collapsed. Besides, standing crops in 6.71 lakh hectares and large-scale public properties have been damaged.
Decrying the State Government’s failure to rise to the occasion, the PCC said that no food was provided to the people taking refuge at shelter camps. Ruling Ministers, MlAs, corporators and workers try to take control of relief materials for distribution purely on political consideration. The sordid affairs that took place in Cuttack and Puri expose the mindset of the Government.
But we highly appreciate the response of NDRAF which together with ODRAF rendered exemplary services in undertaking massive evacuation and thereby saving lives of lakhs of people.
“Therefore, we would sincerely request you to urge upon the State Government to immediately constitute all-party committees, both at State and district-level, to oversee the relief operations. House-building assistance be given in 10 days. Agricultural loans be waived and house building loans up to Rs50,000 be given to non-BPl people. The homeless people be provided tarpaulin, polythene and blankets. Free electricity be provided to farmers for five years.
NDMA may be involved to supervise the reconstruction activities of all infrastructure projects. Fishermen be given cost of their lost boats and nets. Massive afforestation programme be taken up. A technical expert group to study and advise on Subarnarekha river reform be formed,” the memorandum said.