Spokesperson says: LRH has not released list of deceased as yet

Peshawar DC office Spokesperson Feroz Shah said the list is expected to arrive by Monday

PESHAWAR: As water from the deadly thunderstorm dries up drop by drop, the families of victims still wait for the district administration to fulfil its promises.

Strong winds accompanied by heavy showers claimed five lives in the city on Thursday. The casualties were mainly reported from Urmar, Phandu and Jhagra areas. The administration was quick to announce compensation for the bereaved families. However, the cheques have not been inked as yet.

A government official privy to the matter told The Express Tribune that the delay conflicts with Chief Minister Pervez Khattak’s directives of releasing money within a day for the families of those who die or are injured due to natural catastrophes. “The CM’s orders are very clear on this,” said the official. “Money should be paid within a day.”

The K-P government pays Rs0.3 million to the family of the deceased and Rs0.1 million to the family of every injured in a natural calamity.

Similarly, for damaged houses the government pays Rs30,000 for every room without a boundary wall and Rs50,000 for every room with a boundary wall. This was said by Provincial Disaster Management Authority Spokesperson Abdul Latif.

He said PDMA has received the list of the dead and injured from the DC office and that compensation is the latter’s job. “We have deposited money in the DC office relief account. It is now their responsibility to ensure the money is dispatched to the relevant people.” He said at least Rs8 to 10 million was deposited.

Peshawar DC office Spokesperson Feroz Shah said the administration has not received the list of the dead, who were mostly children, from Lady Reading Hospital as yet. He added the list is expected to arrive by Monday. “Once we have the names, money will be paid within two days.”

He said the injured people received minor injuries and were discharged by the hospital after receiving basic medical assistance.

“The damages meanwhile will be assessed by the revenue department officials, including patwaris and tehsildars, with help from a local mosque prayer leader, an elder and a primary schoolteacher who all work as a committee.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2015.