Authorities have left hundreds of flood victims in lurch as the aggrieved are running from pillar to post to get rehabilitation package from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).The devastated floods hit most parts of Srinagar city in September 2014.“More than one year has passed and we are yet to receive rehabilitation package. Whatever we have received was provided by the then Omar-led government,” a delegation of flood victims told KNS.They added authorities have also ignored the plight of flood victims.“Earlier, they (District administration) used to tell us that rehabilitation amounts would be transferred to our bank accounts shortly. Now, we are being kicked out from the offices. The officials tell us to go and ask Chief Minister about the status of their cases,” said another group of flood victims from Sonwar.
The aggrieved victims accused government of ‘criminal silence’ over the matter, adding, “The Ministers are getting their monthly salaries, enjoying government cavalcades and official residences. Have we elected them to enjoy luxuries or to redress our grievances?”“It is because of anti-people behavoiur of ministers that now civil administration is not listening to the general public. Whenever, we try to call on concerned officials in their offices to apprise them about our plight and appeal for release of rehabilitation package, every time we are asked to come some other day as Sahab (Officer) is meeting,” they rued.The flood victims said that if it was possible for divisional administration to dispose of lakhs of cases of flood victims within a week during Governor’s rule, “Why is it that during the present regime, the victims are even denied to know the status of their long pending cases and call on concerned officials.”“It was now easier for the present elected government to dispose off the left out cases as most of the cases were disposed off by the divisional administration on the directions of Governor during Governor’s rule in the state.
What is this elected government doing?” they questioned.They said that the PDP, during election campaigning for last assembly polls were on forefront to plead the cases of flood victims. “Have it forgotten its all promises and assurances it issued to us. Now, why is our plight being ignored,” they said.Soon after receding of flood waters, the then Omar Abdullah-led government had released Rs 75,000 each in favour of those whose houses were completely damaged while owners of severely and partially damaged houses received Rs 12500 and Rs 3800 respectively. The process was also expedited by the civil administrations as the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had ‘warned’ deputy commissioners to release payments to flood victims without any delay or pack their bags.Later, the then Mufti-led government announced release of second installment for the rehabilitation offlood victims. This amount was to be disbursed from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and third installment from Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). However, large numbers of flood victims are yet to receive their due amount from PMNRF and PMDP till date. (KNS)