Patna,(BiharTimes): Coming down heavily on the Centre and State government the National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM) has dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Rs 500 crore relief assistance to the flood-hit Bihar a cruel joke.
In a Press Release NAPM, an umbrella organization of different social groups, said that though five districts were badly affected by the 2008 flood caused by the breach in Kosi embankment yet the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (after visiting the area) sanctioned Rs 1,000 crore.
Besides, he declared the 2008 flood as a ‘National Calamity’ thus opening more scope for assistance. Even that much amount was not sufficient.
In contrast this time flood wreaked havoc in much vaster area in entire north Bihar and affected 1.71 crore people–– unlike 40 lakh last time.
Not only is PM’s Rs 500 crore relief a cruel joke––that too when the value of money has come down drastically in the last nine years––the state government machinery has totally failed in its relief and rescue operation. It has exposed the claim of the disaster management department, the Press Release said.
According to the NAPM people were left to fend for themselves with no government assistance whatsoever coming. The state machinery was more busy in clandestinely desposing the bodies of the flood victims.
Hardly any relief camp working. Even one or two camps ‘inspected’ by chief minister Nitish Kumar are closed within 24 hours after his visit.
This year’s flood has destroyed thousands of houses and has swept away hundreds of roads and bridges. Yet there is total apathy on the part of the government machinery.
The NAPM demands waiving of all loans to farmers, immediate relief to the flood victims and adoption of foolproof and long term flood policy.
