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How J&K elections proved more devastating than floods

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Majid Hyderi
Majid HyderiSep 04, 2015 | 19:49

How J&K elections proved more devastating than floods

It was like cooking tandoori on funeral pyre. In the autumn of last year, when Jammu and Kashmir was struggling to recover from the all-round destruction caused by September floods, Assembly elections were announced.

As per an IANS report, more than 1.5 million people were directly affected by the floods that caused havoc to public and private property, commercial establishments and infrastructure, besides killing 281 civilians.

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The summer capital, Srinagar, remained the worst-hit. From commercial hubs to households, almost all was reduced to slush. As homeless craved for food and shelter, electioneering picked up, shifting the media attention from humanitarian crisis to democratic ritual.

Though all mainstream political parties favoured the process, the sole exception was National Conference, with Twitter-friendly Omar Abdullah, begging for enhancement of his power as chief minister. The rival Peoples Democratic Party, however, took elections as "compulsion". PDP leader Naeem Akhter said: "You need a stable government with a clear six-year mandate to undertake the massive relief and rehabilitation exercise. A lame duck government that has come to the end of its road cannot do it."

Though subsequently the ducks changed with PDP-BJP assuming power, the plight of victims didn’t. A year on, the Central government hasn’t been able to offer assistance beyond peanuts, though the then state government had pegged the loss at Rs 44,000 crore. Apart from Rs 570 crore released as interim relief, the Centre cleared "special flood relief package" of Rs 2,437 crore in June, most of which was taken by Armed forces as fee for rescue.

A year on, forget decent rehabilitation, even the flood prevention measures are awaited. In June, the state decided to outsource the dredging of Jhelum and flood channels, to expedite the work in view of the looming flood threat. Till now the plan is stuck in paperwork.

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The Jhelum may roar anytime again, but the state continues to be ill-prepared even for rescue operations. A recent India Today report of August 30 says: "A year after the floods devastated the Kashmir valley, the government's State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)- considered as the first line of defence during earthquake and floods - does not have a single boat of its own."

Last year post-devastation, crucial two months were exhausted in electioneering and the next two in dialogues till coalition finally cemented on March 1. The next six months were about failures, which the government admits. Last week Rising Kashmir quoted PWD Minister Syed Altaf Bukhari as saying: "The Central government did not help much and neither could the state government do much for the flood victims."

As of now, it’s run up to the first anniversary. While Kashmir Inc has called for hartal on September 7, the government plans mega "revival" celebrations through colorful programmes. For some, it continues to be tandoori prepared on funeral pyre, their delight, best served with fetid sauce!

Last updated: September 04, 2015 | 19:49
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