Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Send A Central Government Officers'' Team To Gauge The Total Damage And The ... on 31 March, 1998
Title: Need to send a Central Government officers' team to gauge the total damage and the losses caused by tornado in the border districts of West Bengal and Orissa.
SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY (CALCUTTA NORTH WEST): Hon. Speaker, Sir, I want to draw the attention of the hon. Prime Minister, who is present here, to a curse of the nature. On the night of 25th March, 1998 a tornado caused the death of 200 persons in the border districts of West Bengal and Orissa. The most unfortunate part is that yesterday also a torrential shower which continued for 24 hours caused more damage in the same area.
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* Not Recorded Sir, we are grateful to the hon. Prime Minister because he sent delegations twice to the affected area. Our demand is that to gauge the total damage and the losses a Central Government officers' team should also visit the spot. We have come to know that non-governmental organisations including the Ramakrishna Mission and the Bharat Sevak Samaj Sang are not being allowed to continue the relief work in those areas. They are being instructed to put the relief materials at the respective Panchayat Offices. They are asked to provide the relief material via the C.P.M. dominated Panchayats ... (Interruptions)
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL (HOOGHLY): Sir, they are politicising a human tragedy.
SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : Sir, I want to point out that even after the death of at least 200 persons and in spite of the fact that two teams from the Central Government have already visited the area, the Chief Minister of West Bengal has not yet visited the affected area. It is desirable that the concerned Minister should make a suo motu statement because when Parliament is in session two delegations have already gone there. The hon. Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture has visited the area.
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, please understand that the Government has already given an assurance that the hon. Prime Minister is going to make a statement in this aspect.
SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : Sir, that is about the situation prevailing throughout the country. But I am referring to this particular incident.
Sir, we want that houses for the homeless persons should be constructed, tubewells should be dug and some financial assistance should be provided to the deceased families. Reportedly, the Central Government is going to hand over Rs.50,000, the State Government is giving Rs.20,000 and the District Natural Calamity Fund is giving Rs. 10,000. All this comes to only Rs.80,000. We request that the hon. Prime Minister should consider this matter and raise this amount to rupees one lakh for each deceased person and at least Rs.25,000 for each injured person. About 1,500 houses have been ransacked. Considering the gravity of the situation, naturally we hope that the Central Government would make all out efforts to send more relief to the affected areas.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri P.R. Kyndiah.
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL: Sir, Shri Sudhir Giri belongs to the affected area. Therefore, he should be allowed to speak first.
... (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed Shri P.R. Kyndiah.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Mr. Speaker, Sir, Shri Sudhir Giri has given a notice in this regard. He is from that area and he should be allowed.
MR. SPEAKER: I will allow Shri Sudhir Giri also.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI RUPCHAND PAL : He will be speaking on the same subject. So, let him speak.
SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY (PURI): Sir, somebody from Orissa should be allowed.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Sudhir Giri's name also appears in the list. So, now, I am allowing Shri Sudhir Giri. Shri Kyndiah, I will allow you later.
... (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You will be given a chance.
">SHRI SUDHIR GIRI: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the tornado affected some parts of West Bengal and Orissa and I belong to one of those areas. ... (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: He is speaking on the same subject. I will allow you later.
SHRI SUDHIR GIRI (CONTAI): I myself visited nearly 20 villages. I found that the figure of deaths which they are saying is an inflated one. Further, a group of West Bengal Ministers visited the spot and they have provided for adequate relief. SHRIBASU DEB ACHARIA : Six Ministers visited those places.
SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY : Why did the Chief Minister not visit those areas till now?
SHRI SUDHIR GIRI : They are bringing politics into this natural calamity. They are making politics out of this natural calamity and this is their nature. I want to protest against this. Sir, I have already written to the hon. Prime Minister in this regard. MR. SPEAKER: Please conclude because he has already raised the matter.
SHRI SUDHIR GIRI : I appeal to the hon. Prime Minister to increase the quantum of relief to the State Government so that the sufferings of the people could be assuaged. (Interruptions) ">SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA : Sir, the aid should go directly to the victims and not to the State Government. I appeal to the hon. Prime Minister to kindly send it directly to the victims and not through the State Government because it will direct it to panchayats. The entire money will go away. (Interruptions) MR. SPEAKER: This will not go on record.
... (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I called Shri P.R. Kyndiah and not you.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA : Sir, where there is a State Government, there are panchayats.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Acharia, you are a senior Member.
... (Interruptions)
SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY : Sir, it is a very precarious condition there. In Orissa also, in the tornado affected areas, people are in a terrible condition and no relief measures have yet been taken. MR. SPEAKER: I have allowed Shri Kyndiah and not you. I will come to you later.
SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY : Sir, please give me one minute. I want to speak on the same matter. We belong to Orissa. What has happened today ... MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you later. Please take your seat.
SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY : The hon. Prime Minister assured this House ..
MR. SPEAKER: I will allow you later because I have given the chance to Shri Kyndiah.