The Kedarghati Visthapan Va Punarvas Sangharsh Samiti (KVVPSS) head, Ajendra Ajay, has written to the Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi complaining about the anomalies in reconstruction works being undertaken in the disaster-affected areas.
In the letter to the Governor, Ajay states, “The way the reconstruction works are being undertaken, it appears as if the State Government’s efforts are focussed on indulging in corruption in the use of the allocated funds instead of getting the reconstruction done as required.”
Recently Cabinet Minister Harak Singh Rawat had also raised the issue of the questionable quality of works and other related issues while stressing on the need for third party review of the reconstruction works.
The Kedarnath MlA Shaila Rani Rawat has also expressed concern at the quality of reconstruction and other works in the disaster affected areas. Such statements by responsible public representatives make it clear that the reconstruction works in disaster-affected areas are riddled with anomalies. Crores of rupees have been spent in the name of trolleys and temporary bridges. The public is perplexed by the decisions taken by the State Government considering the reconstruction works. A trolley is installed at a place and some time after that lakhs of rupees are spent to put up a temporary bridge on that very site after which again lakhs of rupees are spent to install a trolley there.
No plans have been made for construction of permanent bridges with officials taking autocratic decisions in the name of temporary constructions. These anomalies are taking place under the nose of the State Government. A committee headed by a High Court justice should be formed to inquire into the reconstruction works being undertaken in the disaster affected areas. Experts from technical institutions like the IIT, local public representatives and others should also be included in this committee.”
It is pertinent to mention here that though the State Government has repeatedly stressed that its main focus at the present is on ensuring execution of reconstruction and relief works in the disaster affected areas. However, many of the disaster victims, those depending on Char Dham Yatra and tourism for their livelihood and public representatives have been alleging that the works being undertaken by the State are riddled with irregularities.