Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 19 Aug: Senior Congress leader and former Minister, Harak Singh Rawat today launched a scathing attack on the Uttarakhand Government’s disaster management system and termed it a complete failure. Addressing a press conference at the state Congress office here today, Rawat said that although Uttarakhand was the first state in the country to establish a dedicated Disaster Management Ministry, it is yet to develop an effective system to tackle natural and man-made calamities. He expressed concern that the responsibility for disaster management has been handed over to temporary staff and employees deputed from UPCL, which he described as both ironic and alarming.
Rawat cited recent devastation in Dharali, Uttarkashi, and several areas of Pauri district, asserting that the Disaster Management Department is currently under the direct charge of the Chief Minister, who already holds multiple key portfolios. Given the recurring nature of severe disasters in the state, he argued that the department should be entrusted to a separate minister to ensure focused and timely action during emergencies.
Referring to budgetary allocations, Rawat recalled that during the UPA regime, the Central Government bore the entire cost of disaster relief, whereas now the Centre contributes 90 per cent while the state has also to bear 10 per cent. He pointed out that the current disaster budget stands at Rs 1,012 crores, which he said is inadequate. He also slammed the allocation of Rs 40 crore for the Dharali disaster, noting that other affected districts such as Pauri have received no financial support. He urged the government to allocate adequate funds across all disaster-hit regions.
Rawat further criticised the compensation structure, stating that the provision of Rs 4 lakhs for the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakhs for the injured in disasters like Dharali is grossly inadequate. He demanded that these amounts be raised to Rs 25 lakhs and Rs 10 lakhs, respectively. He called for an increase in compensation for loss of limbs and disabilities as well, suggesting that the current provision of Rs 74,000 and Rs 2.50 lakhs for 40 to 60 per cent disability be raised to at least Rs 15 lakh to enable affected individuals to sustain themselves. He insisted that the state government must bear the full cost of medical treatment for those injured in disasters.
Expressing disbelief over the relief amount of Rs 2,500 being offered to families whose homes were washed away, Rawat said such gestures make a mockery of the victims’ suffering. He demanded that these families be given sufficient financial support to rebuild their lives. Besides, he also called for fair compensation to farmers for the loss of agricultural land and crops, and an increase in the amount provided for livestock losses.
Recalling the Kedarnath disaster, Rawat said that the then state government had issued orders to compensate hoteliers, resort owners, and lodge operators adequately. He urged the current government to follow suit and provide market-rate compensation to business owners affected by recent disasters. He also demanded a special package from the Central Government to strengthen long-term disaster preparedness in Uttarakhand and called for compensation for damage to homes, huts, cowsheds, schools, health centres, panchayat buildings, and other public infrastructure in the plains.
Taking a dig at recent media reports with headlines such as “Government reached Gairsain in the disaster,” Rawat remarked that it appeared as though the government had scaled Mount Everest rather than attended an assembly session. He criticised the state ministers for travelling to Gairsain by helicopter while other MLAs risked their lives navigating damaged roads, stating that this was no time for political tourism when the entire state was reeling under disaster.
Present at the press conference were Women’s President Jyoti Rautela, State Spokesperson Pratima Singh, Shishpal Singh Bisht, Social Media Advisor Amarjeet Singh, Virendra Pokhriyal, Vinod Chauhan, and NSUI President Vikas Negi.
