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| Influential enjoy Wazwan, people suffer; BJP demands conversion of building into hospital | | Kashmir's top brass turns Hari Niwas into guest house | | Fazal Khan
SRINAGAR, Sept 24: As the floods wrecked havoc across Kashmir earlier this month, top bureaucrats and politicians along with their families moved to safer places on the upper reaches of Srinagar outskirts. Sources told Early Times the top brass of the Omar Abdullah led Government turned Hari Niwas on the foothills of Zabarwan mountains into a guest house. "They are" allegedly "relishing Wazwan which is being served by the Hospitality and the Protocol Department."
A source said soon after the flood alert was sounded on September 6, top officials and politicians made the first move and ensured that they reach a safer place. "The dream house built by the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad has been turned into a full-fledged guest house and state's entire top brass is camping there," the source added.
As the floods ravaged Jammu and Kashmir entire official machinery in the state became defunct. None of the officials were traceable. Failure of the state administration to come for the rescue of the masses led to the widespread outrage against the National Conference led coalition Government.
"It's astounding that when people were craving for a water bottle top officials were busy enjoying themselves," said a second rung Government employee.
"If people could set up langars and community kitchens to help the flood victims why the administration couldn't do the same?," the employee added.
He alleged that state administration did not make "any effort" initially to defuse the crisis. "Even weatherman had issued a warning that heavy rains would hit the state and floods are inevitable. People at the helm ignored the warning and did not make any preparations in advance to handle the situation which took an ugly turn soon after," the employee said.
Government's failure to set up relief centers and rehabilitation camps has disillusioned the people. "We were left in lurch when we needed them the most," said Ghulam Qadir of Batmaloo area. The BJP's Kashmir spokesman Khalid Jehangir while talking to Early Times said, "We have asked the State Government to get the Hari Niwas vacated forthwith so that it can be turned into a hospital as most health institutions across the city have turned defunct."
He expressed dismay over Hari Niwas being converted into a guest house. "Now flood waters have receded why these people are not moving out is surprising. They should move out to pave way for turning this place into a hospital as it has got many rooms and can serve as a makeshift health institution," Jehangir added. Pertinently, soon after the floods hit Srinagar city top hospitals of the city, including Lal Ded, G B Panth and SMHS suffered extensive damage.
Till date there has been no word from the State Government about the revival of health sector across the city. "Big buildings, including Hari Niwas, are an option and hospitals need to be set up at the war footing basis," said a medico. "There is every possibility of people facing various problems after the flood waters recede. We have to remain prepared to deal with any eventuality," he added. |
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