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| Challenges of devastating September-2014 floods | | | M.M.Khajooria | 10/5/2014 10:54:27 PM |
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The devastating floods that hit the state of Jammu and Kashmir in general and the valley in particular were unprecedented but not unexpected. The incessant torrential rains
commencing from the very beginning of the black September- 2014 were forecast by the metro logical department well in time.
The quiet flowing Jehlum true to its gentle
character rose gradually and was surprisingly considerate even in releasing its fury . That the warning signals were either ignored or not taken with enough seriousness by the powers that be, the political class, the media and the civil society extracted a cost that turned out to be horrendous. Inhabitants and habitation were swept away by flash floods and buried under the horrifying mud-slides in Jammu region. Flood waters managed to gush into thickly populated Srinagar city , marooning its suburbs drowning "unsuspecting and unprepared " citizens and forcing large number large number of helpless and shell shocked families- men, women and children forced to take shelter on the upper storeys of their houses. The ever rising angry surrounding waters were grim reminders of the fate that awaited them. Vast majority had little or nothing to eat , drinking water was becoming scare by minutes. With communications snapped and no sign of or hope of rescue those trapped went through literal hell . The first sight of the Air Force flying machines and the dedicated manner in which officers and men of the Air Force got down to the risky and hazardous task of physically air lifting marooned citizen without caring for their own safety brought both succour and hope. Critically needed Food packets and water bottles also began to drop from the skies On their heels appeared teams of the army officers and men and Disaster management groups generating more hope. I have heard some rescued persons speaking of these "angles" with near reverence. Many stories of their courage and compassion were told with a deep sense of gratitude especially by the elderly who were in no position to even board the boats on their own.
There were understandably numerous questions and question marks ,ifs , buts, hows and whys about the response of the establishment, bureaucrats , the civil society and above all the political class as a whole with regard to occurrence of the tragedy and its handling . Much of criticism may be motivated or even vicious but many question were not only pertinent but crucial to determine the quality and adequacy of the conduct of the civil society, the media, to political class and management of affairs of the state. Tempting as it may be to indulge in the blame game and slanging matches, all this shall have to wait for another day. Presently, the first and foremost priority is to ensure proper , adequate and timely relief to the victims and provide shelter to the needy for the winter knocking at the doors.
The multidimensional challenges of the September ,2014 massive floods make it imperative for both the state and central governments to bear the responsibility of relief and rehabilitation and work in total harmony and single minded determination for disaster mitigation and relief and rehabilitation . The Government of India should be generous in providing funds , mobilising other necessary material resources, tender advise on the basis of all India experiences of handling such situations and monitor performance and progress in implementation of R&R plans and programmes. . The responsibility for assessment of the losses / damages, formulating policy and plans for distress mitigation and rehabilitation and creating administrative structures and build up inter departmental co-ordination vests with the state government. There is , and perhaps can not be any defined firm dividing line between the responsibilities and obligations of the two governments. The Government of India would naturally like to be satisfied about the credibility of assessment of losses /damages and monitor the utilization of funds. There were problems in the relief and rehabilitation management of post 1965war situation by the state government . The Government of India took direct charge and deputed an officer to head the Relief and Rehabilitation organization. It was in this background that I was called upon to take over as the Relief and Rehabilitation commissioner post 1071 war. It was a deviation from the normal practice of assigning the responsibility to an IAS officer only. On my request, I was permitted to concurrently hold command of Civil Defence and Home Guards organization the predecessor of the present Disaster Management set up.
It is unfortunate that parties do not hesitate to play politics even with the purely humanitarian problem of relief and rehabilitation and resort to protest demonstration on trivial issues. . The opposition argue that the party in power exploits the human tragedy to their advantage and the public servants meekly oblige them. If the onerous humanitarian task is to be pursued with single minded devotion free from avoidable diversion , the entire gambit of decision making and operations has to be credibly de-politicized . Therefore even before taking over the charge, I called on Shri Prem Nath Dogra, the Jan Sangh President and sought an assurance from him that his party will not play politics with the relief and rehabilitation of huge population uprooted from the border areas mostly in Jammu region. Before acceding to my request he demanded assurance that I shall be accessible to his party men in the same manner as to that of the ruling party and that any demand of his party if denied would not be conceded at the behest of the ruling party. I readily agreed. To fulfill this commitment was far from easy. In fact, a very awkward situation got created in which I found myself pitted against a Union minister with whom I had excellent personnel relations. The bone of contention was the location of "Refugee camps". In my view the camps should be located as close to the original habitations as possible which will enable them to retain connection and make process of rehabilitation easier. Accordingly, I identified Mishriwala and Purkhoo situated on the main Jammu-Akhnoor road. The Jan Sangh delegation was the first to put up this demand that camps should be established faraway from the border area. This they represented would make refugees psychologically secure and reduce their trauma. I expressed inability to concede and explained reasons there of in detail . The ruling party when confronted with same response involved the Union Minister who very strongly pitched for the demand of his party men. I argued with him in the same manner as with Jan Sangh and also apprised him of the response given to them. The minister was, perhaps unhappy to "be equated with the opposition party" and complained to the Union Rehabilitation minister ( Prime Minister Indira Gandhi). The Union Rehabilitation Secretary, Kahlon, himself an outstanding ICS officer explained the position to the Prime Minister , who gave the "Go ahead signal". Thereafter I had no serious problem with the political class. I have quoted this instance to drive home the point that impartiality and credibility is the Mantra for gaining co-operation from all sections of people. And it does not come easy. As it is, complaints of high jacking or influencing relief distribution by ministers, legislatures and workers of the ruling party have begun to appear in the media. This unhealthy trend needs to be immediately corrected before the situation takes an ugly turn triggering law and order situation. The prevailing political environment heightened by impending elections to the state legislative assembly and the motivated vicious campaign in the social media lend great urgency to establish complete impartiality and transparency in the matter.
Thanks again to the person of Union Secretary Kahlon a direct line of communication with him was authorized. This was an unprecedented arrangement under which I as R&R Commissioner directly spoke to and corresponded with him on matters of urgency like requisition for funds and sanction of schemes .It may surprise many that requisition for funds was fast tracked in the Ministry with internal finance literally burning mid-night oil. The sanction requested for would be carried by hand by an officer of the rank of Deputy Secretary to the government of India, who flew in to Jammu delivered the sanction letter and either took the next flight back or boarded the night train. Of course the State government was kept in the loop all along. May be the arrangement worked smoothly and efficiently because I also happened to enjoy the confidence of the Chief Minister and the Rehabilitation minister. It was primarily on account the fast tracked and finely tuned system that we became the first state the country to rehabilitate the border migrant .We also created a record of sorts by tract rising the entire agricultural land ( the Punjab Tractor corporation was involved), provide quality Seed and Fertilised on spot. Brick Kilns, Cement Depots, Sawmills and other facilities were also laid at their door steps. Artisans and Craftsmen were issued standardized tool kits. ( Devised with their consultation) This is a successful model which the present dispensations in Delhi and Srinagar can emulate. The first and the foremost requirement is to resurrect and fully activate the Relief and Rehabilitation organization . In 1971-72, model the R&R Commissioner had the assistance of Dy-Commissioner HQRS assisted by number of officers of lower ranks and a well staffed ministerial presence. A Finance officer of impeccable integrity and high standard of efficiency headed the Finance section and ensured meticulous observation of codal formalities , rules and regulations. Officers of the revenue department from Dy- Commissioner downwards were integrated into the R&R department and designated accordingly. The arrangement enabled to secure 100% on the spot assessment of damages/ claims conducted by Patwais and 50% by Girdawars to be verified through random on the spot double/ triple checked by Niab -Tehsildars, Tehsildars, Assistant Commissioners and even Dy Commissioners in percentage allocate to each. The data that emerged through these filters was reasonably reliable . All other departments of the state government were required to render full cooperation which most did.
Endeavour at problem analysis should have begun with recognition of the enormity of the complex multi -dimensional and colossal challenges thrown up by the terrible calamity. This done, the establishment has to be innovative, develop and practice extraordinary initiative capability . Stereotypes, which merely constrict thinking and speed of performance should be dumped without any hesitation. In the present case,unfortunately no cogent and focused Policy frame was visible. The strategy to come to grips with the grave challenges was in the limbo . Similarly, there is lack of clarity about implementation mechanism and Monitoring of progress of field operations. Adhocism runs the roost.
It should have been obvious that the very magnitude and complexity of the problem demanded crafting of systems and structures that fast track R&R operations incinerating red-tape and out dated and outmoded rules and regulations .
This is certainly not a problem that can be solved through fire-fighting and at loosely supervised wayward field staff. In short, the establishment has to quickly conceptualize a time bound program of action to lick daunting challenges, construct dedicated and reliable mechanism for the purpose and identify and employ personnel capable of efficiently achieving the physical targets well in time. Perpetuation of the current arrangement may turn out to be a sure receive for administrative disaster.
By now we should have a fair idea of the intensity and extent of devastation, the loss of lives and limbs, damage to and destruction of property and developmental infrastructure. The very fact that these were both massive and unprecedented dictates double check and a credible assurance that the exercise was conducted responsibly, seriously and compassionately.
The moot question is whether the government would continue to be driven by feudal mindset and peg the aim of rehabilitation at sending victims back to hovels, recreate the same symbols of poverty and backwardness, replicate patched and leaning mud houses, pock mark cracked brick walls and leave the inmates in a condition worst than before in the very same rural flood prone locations? Or. would it traverse the social welfare oriented forward looking route and rehabilitate the victims of rural flood or Mud slides prone areas at safe locations in simple but sturdy and comfortable houses equipped with better and upgraded sanitary, education , health care and other basic common facilities . For this to happen the criteria of assessing so called damages which stinks of callousness and charity syndrome shall have to discarded and written afresh to gel with the philosophy of rehabilitation of victims in a democracy wedded to a social welfare state. The initiative in this behalf has to come from Government of India which needs and deserves the intervention of the Prime Minister. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must take up the issue at top most priority both at the official and personal levels. The hilly areas of Jammu region especially in Poonch and Kistwar districts faced with problems of steadily creeping "moving Slips" ,loosening soil cover on hill tops and shifting rock beds. Then there are villages like Challa -Dangri in Mandi area of Poonch district whose top soil has been eroding for decades endangering human lives, swallowing habitation and livestock. I had recommended expert study of the phenomena during my tenure as Commissioner of Poonch-Rajouri division in 1979-80. Apparently,
It was not fallowed up by my successors. The horrible spectacle of entire villages being swallowed up by Mud slides highlights the urgency of a dedicated geological survey of such areas and relocation of villages/ habitations to secure places as model habitations at state expense. The matter deserves the urgent attention of government of India .As it happens, the concerned constituencies are represented by the ruling party. Dr, Jatinder Singh the MP from Kathua- Doda constituency holds an important position in the Central Council of Ministers and is also MOS in the PMO. It is both their duty and responsibility to pursue the matter further and have the process of Geological/ Soil survey and studies initiated without any loss of time. |
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