Vehari flood victims allege 'rigged' survey

Irregularities and favouritism have been alleged by some affected people in the damage assessment survey conducted following flooding in the Sutlej River.

They alleged that the survey teams had ignored genuine flood-hit families and instead included unrelated individuals in the official lists. Some flood victims from Chak 41-B and Sahooka accused local revenue officials of altering the survey records in collusion with village numberdars.

They alleged that multiple survey entries - sometimes three for a single household - were made for certain families, while many genuinely affected households were either excluded or removed from the list.

The residents alleged that local officials had inserted the names of their favourites in the lists.

The victims said the government's relief fund was intended to support flood-affected families, but corrupt elements in the revenue department had striped for personal gain.

The residents of thecglood-affected area called for a review of the survey record and legal action against any officials involved in corruption.

Deputy Commissioner Imran Tauqeer, when contacted, said that no one involved in corruption would be spared.

"An inquiry is under way, and if the allegations are proven, strict action will be taken," he said.