06-11-2006, 06:57 AM
News
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Indian govt ignored Kashmir earthquake victims: report
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: An NGO has lashed out at the Indian government for lack of planning and coordination in the rehabilitation of the October 8 earthquake victims in Jammu and Kashmir.
Releasing a comprehensive report on the rehabilitation policy, the Kashmir Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Co-ordination Committee (KERRCC) stated that official attitude in Kashmir was jaded and lacklustre in contrast to its planned approach towards tragedies in other parts of country.
Tapan K Bose, General Secretary of PIPFDD said that after initial shock, the administration had put its act together to tackle earthquakes in Latur (Mahrashtra) Uttrakashi (Uttranchal) and the recent Tsunami crises, but lack of planning and coordination in Kashmir was rampant. He said the problem has been further compounded by the 'security sensitivity' of the army and paramilitary forces. The report has also mentioned that volunteers who could reach to every village in Uri tehsil were not allowed to survey eight villages in Titwal area of Karnah tehsil. "The commandant of the army brigade at Titwal had initially agreed to let the volunteers visit the villages, but later refused permission," the report claimed. In certain areas, Indian army decided to take over the entire relief and rehabilitation operation. "NGOs were asked to submit their proposals and information about their activists to the local army officer for clearance," the report said.
The report alleged that army authorities seemed to disapprove any such activity aimed at making local people self-reliant. Bose further stated that survey and analysis of the damage was becoming impossible due to non-availability of authentic maps of the area. He said security agencies were refusing to release maps of these areas, which would have helped in fixing the exact location of the villages. "The focus of the rehabilitation was centered on the compensation of Rs one lakh announced by the state government which reached the victims before supply of materials was arranged. As a result, prices of materials needed for reconstruction was hiked drastically," said Tapan K Bose. The report, based on a survey of 21,000 houses in 150 villages in Uri and Tangdhar area, claimed that roads damaged by the earthquake have not yet been fully restored.
Courtesy http://www.DailyTimes.com.pk
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Indian govt ignored Kashmir earthquake victims: report
By Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: An NGO has lashed out at the Indian government for lack of planning and coordination in the rehabilitation of the October 8 earthquake victims in Jammu and Kashmir.
Releasing a comprehensive report on the rehabilitation policy, the Kashmir Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Co-ordination Committee (KERRCC) stated that official attitude in Kashmir was jaded and lacklustre in contrast to its planned approach towards tragedies in other parts of country.
Tapan K Bose, General Secretary of PIPFDD said that after initial shock, the administration had put its act together to tackle earthquakes in Latur (Mahrashtra) Uttrakashi (Uttranchal) and the recent Tsunami crises, but lack of planning and coordination in Kashmir was rampant. He said the problem has been further compounded by the 'security sensitivity' of the army and paramilitary forces. The report has also mentioned that volunteers who could reach to every village in Uri tehsil were not allowed to survey eight villages in Titwal area of Karnah tehsil. "The commandant of the army brigade at Titwal had initially agreed to let the volunteers visit the villages, but later refused permission," the report claimed. In certain areas, Indian army decided to take over the entire relief and rehabilitation operation. "NGOs were asked to submit their proposals and information about their activists to the local army officer for clearance," the report said.
The report alleged that army authorities seemed to disapprove any such activity aimed at making local people self-reliant. Bose further stated that survey and analysis of the damage was becoming impossible due to non-availability of authentic maps of the area. He said security agencies were refusing to release maps of these areas, which would have helped in fixing the exact location of the villages. "The focus of the rehabilitation was centered on the compensation of Rs one lakh announced by the state government which reached the victims before supply of materials was arranged. As a result, prices of materials needed for reconstruction was hiked drastically," said Tapan K Bose. The report, based on a survey of 21,000 houses in 150 villages in Uri and Tangdhar area, claimed that roads damaged by the earthquake have not yet been fully restored.
Courtesy http://www.DailyTimes.com.pk