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Favouritism in quake relief

Kashmir Times. Dated: 5/25/2013 1:04:10 AM

Dear Editor,
Earthquake and after shocks have created severe panic and restlessness among the people of Doda District especially in Bhaderwah Valley where the epicenter is believed to be.
As I happened to be there last fortnight, I have personally seen the day to day situation. People are so scared that even the sound of running vehicles brings fears of earthquake now. Administration and leaders of different political parties are paying regular visits to the area, but what about actual relief on the ground?
Poor people of both the communities of Bhaderwah are neglected as they have no political push or access to the top rung of administration. Even basic relief like tents, ration etc is far from genuine victims. Tents are issued to the favourites. One day road was blocked at Village Udrana and Dumail area for the whole day to protest against this favouritism but it was surprising to see that none from administration bothered to pacify the crowd and none visited the places. With the result even patients coming in vehicles were unable to reach hospitals till late evening. I was shocked to know that a person who doesn't reside in the area was provided tent and he left the area of disaster, not spending even a single night in the area.
Poor people are helpless spending sleepless nights along with children outside in the open in chilling cold. Continuous tremors have totally disturbed the bed rocks and many poisonous insects, snakes have emerged out of their hide outs. Two days back, as tremor was in force, people rushed outside and a lady was bitten by a snake in Udrana area and taken to hospital for treatment.
The central govenment has provided relief amount. Union minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad has goven assurances and chief minister Omar Abdullah is keeping a close watch, deputing cabinet ministers to supervise the conditions.
Inspite of this, favouritism is continuing. This amounts to step motherly treatment with people of Doda District, who have already suffered on other fronts - migrants' issues, employment issue, road connectivity issue and now relief issue to the actual sufferers and needy. Higher-ups should check the ground reality and act.
—Kaushal Kotwal
SDAO (Retd), Jammu.