Disaster management minister absent as storm victims await relief

PATNA - The storm that ravaged eastern parts of Bihar has claimed 81 lives and thousands who lost their homes are waiting for relief, but Disaster Management Minister Devesh C. Thakur has been Delhi instead of overseeing relief work here, officials said.

“Sir (Thakur) has been in Delhi for the last few days,” a security guard at his official residence told IANS here.

Thakur was not in Bihar when the storm hit the Seemanchal region Tuesday night. “He was in Delhi and till Thursday afternoon his cabin in the state secretariat was locked as he was not here,” said an official in Thakur’s office.

Thakur could not be contacted for comment despite repeated efforts.

The high velocity storm has caused extensive damage to nearly 100,000 houses and snapped power and communication lines besides uprooting hundreds of trees and killing at least 10,000 cattle in Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj, Katihar and Supaul districts.

According to the disaster management department, 39 people were killed in Purnia, 33 in Araria, seven in Katihar and one each in Kishanganj and Supaul districts.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas Wednesday and held meetings with district officials to assess the situation. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi also conducted an aerial survey of the areas hit by the storm Thursday. But Thakur was missing.

Asked about Thakur’s absence, Modi told reporters that the chief minister was himself monitoring the work in the affected districts.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) state president Abdul Bari Siddiqui criticised the fact that the disaster management minister was missing from the state during the time of crisis.

“This is happening in the state led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who claims good governance,” Siddiqui said.

Principal Secretary (Disaster Management Department) Vayasji said that government had speeded up relief efforts in the last couple of days.

But victims complained that the government had not been prompt in providing them relief.

The state government has announced Rs.1.5 lakh compensation for the next of kin of those killed in the storm.