Uri quake: Relief complaints pour in

The first phase of relief and rehabilitation operations in quake ravaged Uri was completed three weeks back. But the government has received...

The first phase of relief and rehabilitation operations in quake ravaged Uri was completed three weeks back. But the government has received complaints from around 8,000 people that they had not received any compensation.

However, according to officials handling relief operations, most of the complaints are fabricated.‘‘We have received around 8,000 applications from Uri residents complaining that no relief has reached them,’’ Relief Commissioner, Uri, Bashir Ahmed Runiyal told The Indian Express. ‘‘But most of the complaint are not true. Many applications have been sent by those who have already received compensation in the name of their parents,’’ he said. Runiyal said that several extensive verifications were done by government officials prior to distributing the first installment of the amount to those whose houses were fully or partially damaged. In the first phase, compensation was also given to the next of kin of those killed in the quake, he added.

After the quake, the government set up 15 teams in all the 33 panchyat halqas and 18 patwar halqas in Uri to assess the damage. ‘‘After some complaints, another team, headed by the Uri Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) was constituted and he framed many subcommittees to review the damage. Three Telshildars and 18 sector officers were specially deputed to all the panchayat halqas of Uri and they too carried out an extensive assessment,’’ he said.

Story continues below this ad

‘‘The lists of beneficiaries were announced in the respective villages in presence of village heads and other residents. Lok Adalats also moved door-to-door to ensure no one was left out. But despite such hard work if complaints are pouring in, it is very unfortunate,’’ Runiyal said. Meanwhile, the state government has asked residents in Baramulla district including Uri to submit any complaint about the assessment to Block Development Officers and Tehsildars or Naib Tehsildars concerned.

‘‘All those whose houses had been fully damaged or had developed cracks in Baramulla district due to the quake and are not satisfied with the compensation should submit their applications to the BDOs and NT along with details of the property and the ownership,’’ a senior government official in Srinagar said.

‘‘The Tehsildars and the BDOs will accordingly make an on-the-spot verification along with other committee members, which will be constituted by the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla,’’ the officer added.