No Relief To The Needy, Others Benefit

Mumbai, Aug. 7: Activists workings in different wards for welfare of those affected be the floods have alleged that the relief material which is supposed to be distributed to the flood hit areas are not reaching the needy.

It is being distributed in areas that are less affected but are easy to reach. Ms. Anandini Thakur, Coordinator of AGNI (Action for Good Governance and Networking in India) from the H-West ward said, "In certain areas near Bandra reclamation where people hardly suffered due to the floods they were given food supplies and relief material but the interior areas remain unnoticed. A family which is given ration material and 30 liters of kerosene despite not being affected is a waste of the relief material." She also pointed out areas like Vitthaldas Nagar and Bharat Nagar, which were badly affected but had not yet received any relief.

Activist Mr. N. Nayak from Andheri pointed out the improper distribution of relief material said, "The trucks that are loaded with food supplies stand at the main roads distributing them to the people near the roads without even checking who are affected and in need of the food supplies. Since the trucks cannot enter the narrow lanes, the distribution takes place on the main roads and the poor living in the low lying areas are deprived of the relief."

Areas like Sagbaug, Bhandar Wada and Makkhan Nagar are still awaiting for relief said the activists. Mr. Nayak added, "The slumdwellers are usually not informed about the arrival of the relief trucks and never get to the appropriate distribution point in time to receive relief." Some of the activists also alleged that the relief material goes to the slums that act as vote banks for politicians. An activist who did not wish to be named said, "There are areas in the interior of Dadar which are more affected than the Dharavi slums but since these slums act as a vote bank greater care is taken to provide them with everything they need."

Mr. Gerson da Cunha, convenor of AGNI, said, "The government had made an exception in our case by granting us permission to distribute 250 tons of rice and wheat to approximately 12,500 houses all over the city."

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