Samruddha Odisha and Jana Sammukhya leaders who visited several areas of flood-affected Baleswar district on Monday decried the State Government’s failure in handling the relief and restoration operations in the affected areas.
Samruddha Odisha president Dr Jatish Mohanty and Jana Samukhya leaders accused the Government of not addressing the plight of flood victims who are still under open sky and crying for food and other basic amenities. “Neither the Government was prepared before the floods nor is it concerned for people after the floods,” said Mohanty, adding that there is no proper mechanism to tackle the situation.
Mohanty said, “In Andhra Pradesh, a district Collector can utilise unlimited amount for the cause of victims under Treasury Rule -27 during a calamity. The kin of the deceased are provided compensation within 48 hours and house damage compensation within 10 days. And all the money is reimbursed by the Central Government. But there are no such provisions in Odisha.”
“There is dearth of baby food and fodder in the affected areas. The administration has failed to reach out to people while the damaged house enumeration is yet to begin,” he alleged, adding that the State Government hasn’t learnt anything from the past calamities and has never thought of the long-term solutions.