Flood survivors demand Rs1m in compensation

Protesters demanded govt should pay Rs500,000 to the family of each victims who died of gastroenteritis.

SUKKUR: Several flood survivors and activists of the Jeay Sindh Mahaaz (JSM) staged demonstrations across Sindh to demand one million rupees in compensation from the government.

Apart from compensation, the government should pay Rs500,000 to the family of each victim who died of gastroenteritis in relief camps, the protesters demanded. The protests took place in Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Ubauro, Daharki, Thul, Kashmore, Qamber-Shahdadkot, Sukkur and other parts of Sindh.

The survivors also demanded authorities drain water from their agricultural land and rebuild the roads as soon as possible.

In Mirpur Mathelo, dozens of JSM activists, led by Ramzan Kalwar and Yousuf Bozdar, took to the streets from Mehran Club, holding placards and shouting slogans against the government. They marched through the main roads of the city and staged a demonstration at Bhittai Chowk.

The leaders criticised the government for its indifferent attitude towards flood survivors. “The weather has started becoming cold and the flood victims need warm clothes and beddings, which have yet to be provided to them by the government,” said Kalwar.

The protesters also blamed the government of issuing Watan cards to their own people. “The jiyalas are benefiting from the Watan card but genuine survivors are not being catered to. They are being humiliated,” a protester said.

Explaining the demand for compensation, Yousuf Bozdar said the government needs to pay for the loss of crops and livestock. “The government needs to provide aid to the flood-affected farmers to purchase fertilisers, seeds and other related commodities,” he said.

Similar rallies were organised in other parts of the province. JSM activists, led by general secretary Khan Muhammad Bhayo, observed a token hunger strike in Sukkur.

Talking to The Express Tribune, JSM chairman Riaz Chandio said that even after three months, the government’s attempt to drain flood water has failed miserably. This is hampering the rehabilitation process and survivors are not able to return to their homes, he added.

“The people of these districts have lost everything in the flash floods and are forced to live in relief camps,” said Chandio, adding that “they are completely dependent on the government”. He demanded the government pay compensation to the flood-affected people so that they can start afresh.

‘Govt needs half the proposed Rs39m to repair roads in Sindh’

A sum of Rs39 billion is needed to repair 9,252 kilometres of roads in Sindh that were damaged in the floods, it was estimated by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

However, according to the provincial works and services department, the government needs only 50 per cent of the estimated cost to complete the job. “We have moved a proposal to Chief Minster Qaim Ali Shah, suggesting that we can complete the repair work with a budget of Rs19.5 billion,” Sindh Works and Services Minister Manzoor Hussain Wasan said on Tuesday.

The Asian Development Bank and the World Bank are international organisations that engage international consultancy firms in every project. These firms are paid large amounts of money as consultancy fees, said Wasan, adding that the works and services department was capable of constructing roads of international standard for less money.

To a question regarding a proposed 50 per cent cut in the Annual Development Programme 2010-11, the minister said that he had requested the Sindh chief minister to exempt the works and services ministry from the proposed cut. ppi

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2010.