Even though the State Government earlier claimed that executing repair and reconstruction works in disaster affected areas was its top priority, the condition of the Chamba block office tells a different story. A portion of the block office front yard that had collapsed more than a year ago has not yet been repaired.
Considering the apathy of the Government towards its damaged property, locals are questioning whether the claims of the Government about ensuring relief and reconstruction works in remote disaster affected areas could be believed. The authorities have failed to repair the damaged portion of the building due to which the foundations of the remaining office buildings in the compound has been weakening consistently.
Due to collapse of a portion of the block office courtyard, many information boards related to developmental schemes installed along the base of the collapsed courtyard portion have been left leaning at odd angles amidst the debris. The foundations of the Social Welfare and other departmental office buildings are becoming weak due to the continued delay in repairing the damage. Interestingly, the offices of the Block Development Officer and Block head are about 10 metres from the damaged area.
District and even State level officials often visit the block but none of them seems to have noticed and taken necessary action. The locals state that when the government appears unconcerned about the repair and security of its own official premises, one can only guess the efficiency of the government machinery in the remote rural disaster affected areas.