Many politicians are trying to capitalise on the aftermath of the disaster to gain political brownie points. Most politicians have involved themselves in the relief measures by sending relief materials to the disaster-affected persons.
Whereas the district administration is meant to distribute relief materials, the local MlA is undertaking this task, which the locals think is just to appear sympathetic to the voters. locals are alleging that somepoliticians have stored relief materials in th homes of their lackeys and are distributing this only to their supporters and even to their followers and relatives who are not the intended beneficiaries. The heavy rains and flood experienced on June 16-17 caused widespread damage in the Chamoli district.
The routes to Badrinath and Hemkund shrines have been damaged with the surrounding areas also suffering damage. The area housing one of the Panch Kedar shrines, Kalpnath, has also sustained damage while Pulna, Govindghat and Bhyundar valley have sustained the maximum damage.
The winter seat of lord Badrinath, Pandukeshwar has also been damaged along with lambagad where homes and agricultural lands have been devastated. The relief work has been going on since a few days after the disaster with various voluntary organisations working and relief material from different States being distributed among the disaster affected. However, many politicians have tried to use this relief material simply for political benefit. In the Chamoli region, the Badrinath MlA Rajendra Bhandari has been staying in the area since the disaster took place.
The Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) if facilitating the distribution of solar lanterns in the disaster affected rural areas. The MlA capitalised on this and distributed these to the villagers himself in what seemed more like a photo opportunity.
locals are seeing this as an example of the proclivity of some politicians to exploit this situation to gain popularity by touring affected areas in stead of facilitating concrete steps for helping the locals recuperate from the disaster.
Many politicians who toured disaster-affected areas where villagers are yet to receive adequate relief material, gave little more than assurances to the victims. It is also being alleged that politicians have stored relief materials with their supporters. While some relief material is said to be rotting in ‘political’ stores, some is being distributed to those who do not need it badly.
Those worst hit by the disaster are yet to receive relief material while those who have been partially affected by the disaster are said to be getting the bulk of relief. This has also put a question mark on the functioning of the district administration.