Vajpayee sees 'shortcomings' in quake relief work

By Manas Dasgupta

BHUJ (Kutch), JUNE 4. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today censured the Gujarat Government for ``some shortcomings'' in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for the victims of the January 26 earthquake and said the State and the Centre had plans to remove the shortcomings.

Refusing to elaborate on the shortcomings, the Prime Minister, who was addressing reporters before leaving for New Delhi after a two-day tour of Kutch district, said, ``I have told that to the State Government.''

Significantly, while repeatedly praising the efforts of non- government organisations in the relief and rehabilitation activities, he did not laud even once the steps being taken by the State administration, except to say that the task was ``gigantic'' and the State had taken up the challenge.

Admitting that a section of the people in Kutch had a ``suppressed feeling'' of being discriminated against, Mr. Vajpayee expressed the hope that the steps being taken by the State and Central Governments would help remove such feelings.

The Prime Minister directed a question on the demand for a separate statehood or at least Union Territory status for Kutch in view of the ``injustice'' being done by the State administration to the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, who was accompanying him. Mr. Advani said this was not the time to consider the status of the district when the top priority was reconstruction.

Mr. Vajpayee also announced a Rs. 70-crore grant from the Prime Minister's Relief fund for drought-proofing of 300 villages in Kutch district and another Rs. 160 crores for repairing and reconstruction of quake-damaged school buildings and other educational activities in the district, besides the Rs. 100 crores announced earlier for the construction of a civil hospital and medical college in Bhuj. The State civil hospital was completely destroyed in the January 26 quake killing 182 patients and staff. As part of the economic re-generation programme, steps were being taken to revive the Kutch dairy, which would provide additional income to the farming community, and develop markets at home and abroad for the local handicrafts.

Criticising the Opposition parties and others for allegations of ``discrimination'' in distributing relief materials, he said such reports in the foreign media only lowered the country's image. Gandhigram village, which he had visited during his tour, was proof that such charges were baseless. The village had mainly Muslims and Dalits but the NGOs were providing all help without any discrimination.

The Opposition parties must give up the ``negative attitude'' and encourage the ``good work'' being done by the Government officials and NGOs.

He agreed that there should be complete transparency in dealing with funds for relief works and to ensure that the money reached the right persons. Appreciating the efforts of the NGOs, Mr. Vajpayee said Luriya village whose Dalits were convinced not to leave the village, and Indraprastha, re-located Dudhai hamlet, were examples of the ``highly praiseworthy contributions''.

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