leader of the Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Ajay Bhatt has alleged that monetary compensation cheques given to disaster affected persons in Uttarakhand are bouncing. In a statement released here, Bhatt said that the bouncing of cheques given to disaster victims is another sign of the State Government’s failure to execute effective measures for relief and rehabilitation in the State which faced major disaster in June.
Bhatt said that following the disaster, many crores of rupees were donated to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund by people of State, CMs of various States, different organisations, banks and institutes. In spite of this the cheques given to disaster victims by the State Government are bouncing, which is a cause for serious concern.
He stated, “The State Government is playing a very cruel joke on the people who have suffered loss of lives in their families and loss of property. Such irresponsible attitude of the State Government cannot be forgiven. At a time when many disaster affected people face the dire prospect of starvation, the State is broadcasting advertisements on the electronic media praising itself for purportedly facilitating efficient and timely relief measures. The Government is misinforming the public to present an incorrect picture of the post-disaster scenario in Uttarakhand,” alleged the leader of the Opposition.
The crores of rupees spent on spreading misinformation should have been used for the welfare of the disaster affected people, added Bhatt.
Pictures of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi are being pasted on relief packets sent by the Central Government, which is a sign of the petty politics played by the Congress, he said Bhatt.
The leader of Opposition it the Assembly further said that since the Congress-led Government came to power in Uttarakhand, there has been a spate of strikes by various organisations and members of different fraternities.
“Citizens have to make dozens of visits to Government offices even for tasks like procuring a domicile certificate. Member of the public, especially those from the economically weaker sections are facing hardships due to the strike of staff nurses in Government hospitals. The people are now forced to visit private clinics and hospitals for their treatment and even there many people are returning without getting treated due to the comparatively high cost of treatment. The Government should be more sensitive and agree to the valid demands of the health workers so that the common people of the State do not continue to suffer,” said Bhatt.