. Even after a week, the Government has not reached out to flood victims effectively.
In most of the deluge-hit areas in the district, there is an acute shortage of food, potable water, blankets and other emergency essentials. The Health Department has also failed to take up preventive measures to check outbreak of epidemics in flood areas and slums.
The Government claims that 85 gruel centres are still functioning across the district. But in reality, hardly any gruel centres were seen working in the district on Thursday, when the Deccan Herald correspondent visited some villages in Indi and Sindagi taluks, which are the most affected in the natural calamity.
People of Tavarked in Sindagi taluk, who have been taking shelter at a school after their village was submerged, are very upset with the Government and the MLA representing them. They said the only gruel centre started three days after they were shifted to the school worked only for two days.
“We are struggling a lot to cope with hunger. Our children and cattle are starving. But no one is ready to understand our plight,” rues Shivamma Bagali.
The Government says it has released Rs 2.5 crore through Tahsildars and different departments to take up immediate relief measures. But not even a fraction of that amount has not reached the needy.
“Then, where have all the money and food materials gone?” questions Kasturibai Afjalpur. The same situation prevails at Tarapur and Nandigeri in Sindagi taluk, Hadiginal and Bomnalli in Muddebihal taluk, and some villages in Basavan Bagewadi taluk too.
There is a provision for emergency relief of Rs 2000 per family affected by the flood. There are more than one lakh affected families in the district. Ironically, the Government has not disbursed the emergency assistance to any of these families so far.
An official, on condition of anonymity, said the Government was planning to provide this assistance along with the house damage compensation, to be handed over in a couple of days.
Flaying the Government for delaying the release of even emergency assistance, Babu Mandewali questioned, “What is the use, if the assistance is not given when those affected needed it the most?”
Complaints are also pouring against village accountants (talatis) in the districts. Several victims say the accountants were not assessing the damage of property properly.
The only place where people appreciated officials was Tegginahalli, Indi taluk. They said Tahsildar Sharanappa immediately visited their village when it was marooned in the Naadhalla stream, and made arrangements for a gruel centre and temporary sheds.
Suspended
Unfortunately, the Government suspended him (Sharanappa) quoting dereliction of duty, two days ago. It is philanthropists and private companies which have been genuinely engaged in humanitarian work in this hour of crisis.
This correspondent saw RSS activists, representatives of ITC and private donors distributing biscuits, food packets and clothes in several places in Basavan Bagewadi and Muddebihal taluks.
