It took 12 days for the state government to realise that relief is not reaching the victims of Aila. To set things right, the government has asked officials distributing relief to get the signature or thumb impression of victims on receipts confirming that they have got the relief material.

The decision came after the state Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Murtaza Hussein personally received phone calls from affected villagers that they have not got adequate relief, and complaints of mismanagement from various sections.

“We have asked the district magistrates to get us signatures or thumb impressions of villagers, when they distribute the relief. For instance, if a woman receives a saree, the government official or the panchayat leader must get a receipt with her thumb impression. This will ensure that relief reaches the needy,” Hussein told The Indian Express.

The minister admitted that relief is not reaching the grassroots-level victims adequately. “We are sending relief material as per the demands of the DMs. But somehow at some places adequate relief is not reaching. Everyday I receive dozens of calls from villagers that they are not getting adequate relief. Yesterday I received numerous calls from Hingalgunj that only a paltry amount has reached them,” Hussain added.

“We have received complaints that a section of people is siphoning off relief material. We are taking strict measures to ensure this does not happen,” said Amiyo Bhusan Chakraborty, BDO Gosaba.

Sunderbans Development Minister Kanti Ganguly cited lack of coordination in relief distribution. “Most of the relief is given to people living near the embankments and does not reach people inside the villages. Even NGOs are just pouring their relief on embankments,” said Ganguly. He urged that NGOs should coordinate with panchayat leaders and district administration for providing relief.

... contd.