Its time to break the jinx surrounding tsunami relief

The grand uprising following protest by a Tunisian fruit vendor and setting himself ablaze in a public square generated a dissenting wave shaking empires the world over. The non-violent mode of public protest gained acceptance in such proportion that the entire (year) 2011 is being seen as the year of protests. Fittingly “The Protester” is the TIME Person of the year and Anna Hazare features in the list of “People Who Mattered” in the magazine.

The anticorruption movement launched by team Anna grabbed nationwide attention with flocks of people supporting the movement which led the union cabinet to reciprocate with passage of the Lokpal bill. There are protests everywhere in the country. Farmers are on the streets demanding raise in minimum support price for farm produce. There are groups protesting against Nuclear Power Project, dam and a range of issues across the country. Incidentally such protests are against decisions taken without consulting those who are going to get affected with implementation of such decision.

The common man fortified with political support is up in huge numbers rallying to make its voice heard in the parleys of power. They are doing it since our democratic set up allows its citizens to express their dissenting voice in a peaceful and socially acceptable manner. Political parties lend support to such mass movement in the mainland since they know neglecting electorate in democracy can spell doom for them.

But A&N Islands though an integral part of Indian democracy, things are a bit different. Since these islands are governed by centre appointed Lt Governor, the electorates are a less significant entity. As such things are seen more from administrative angle without caring much about its social or political implications. Efforts are made to observe codal formalities and follow elaborate procedures wherever possible in order to arrive at a decision in the file. Thereafter such decisions are implemented on the ground flexing administrative muscle leaving no room for the affected to raise their voice but act in compliance!

There are quite a few instances wherein decision has been taken without caring much about its ramifications on the life and livelihood of the common islander. Reduction in the number of convoy, buffer zone, ATR are only few examples. Latest in this series being the decision which says “(tsunami affected) farmers are free to reclaim their land and not surrender it to the government” (source : Echo of India, Vol V, issue # 59, dated Dec 17th., 2011).

It is shocking that after lapse of 7 years, those responsible for providing governance is using such insensitive dialect in official communication. If this is the stand of the Admn then what is the logic behind spending so much on tsunami relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding? What is the justification of clearing forests from the cliff and constructing shelters away from sea on higher ground?

Perhaps it is common sense that the submerged part and parcel of land with crocodile infestation (Stewart Gunj, Wimberly Gunj area) has become unfit for any kind of human habitation. As such ordering reclamation of tsunami affected land (as communicated through the news) is it not that the authorities are pushing the tsunami survivors towards catastrophe? Or is it that the authority concerned unable to hide incompetence in dealing with the demands of the tsunami affected is taking recourse behind alien dialect?

What remains incomprehensible is can the Admn disown its citizens who are in dire need of its support to rebuild their disaster torn life and livelihood? The question becomes more imminent in the backdrop of A&N Administration’s preparation for celebration of the 7th Anniversary of the epic disaster.

It appears the Admn is more concerned towards fulfilling administrative obligation rather than paying heed to the voice of the tsunami affected. Since those capable of taking decisions are Govt appointees answerable to its employer and not the electorate; a proposition pointing towards the political void, much to the disadvantage of the common man.

Under such a compelling situation wherein the officials are showing signs of buckling under pressure, there is virtually no scope left for the common islander but to request the Hon’ble Lt Governor to break the jinx surrounding the long pending matter relating to granting of appropriate relief and rehabilitation of the tsunami affected. I am sure there is more the Administration can do in this regard other than paying homage, celebrating Anniversaries or conducting rituals etc.


This post was carried in the Echo of India dated 23/12/2011

Comments

Zubair Ahmed said…
Lets us wait for another shower of promises, fresh ones, at ITF 2012. Great piece Bhadra....
December 23, 2011 at 10:31 AM
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