National Human Right Commission (NHRC), Director General (Investigation) Kanwaljit Deol, has conducted a survey of disaster-affected areas with her team. later, she submitted a report based on her observations and findings in a meeting held at the Secretariat on Thursday, which was chaired by Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar.
The NHRC has categorically appreciated that the State has evacuated more than 1.10 lakh people including 35,000 were air lifted. The Government even worked in bad weather, despite blocked roads and destroyed bridges. During the survey, it was found that there was no shortage of food anywhere.
Where roads were damaged, food material was being provided by mules and coolies. She suggested that proper documentation be done to ensure that the relief material reached the right places. She particularly praised the decision to post young IAS officers in disaster affected areas, and offered some suggestions.
She also pointed that special care should be taken of women and children in the relief camps. She suggested that the relief money for the victims be directly deposited in their accounts. It was also added that the areas where villages have to be rehabilitated should be properly surveyed by the GSI. There was also need for coordination among the NGOs working in the area.
Kumar appraised them that the IAS officers had been posted in disaster hit areas to supervise relief material distribution there, as well as rehabilitation works. As many as 238 villages had to be rehabilitated and Rs 8,000 crore would be required for the same.
The Central Government had agreed to provide the rehabilitation funds in stages. The GSI was also surveying villages which were in the danger zone in order to relocate them in future to safer places. Regarding coordination with private organisations and NGOs keen on adopting villages, detailed guidelines were being prepared.
They would have to provide the people of the area with basic facilities for a period of at least two years. Efforts were also being made that the villages in the remote areas be adopted in clusters.He also disclosed that the CCF (Wild life) had been directed to immediately camp in Guptkashi to dispose off bodies of dead animals. Along with this, two choppers were being provided in Guptkashi and Govindghaat for the same work.
Other dignitaries, including DGP Satyavrat, Principal Secretary Home Omprakash, Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Ranveer Singh, Principal Secretary, Food, Radha Raturi and Secretary, Disaster Management, Bhaskaranad, along with other officials attended the meeting.