Ajay Sharma
Early Times Report
Rajouri, Mar15: After the devastating deluge of September 2014, Sunderbani village of Rajouri district has been thrown to dogs with no flood-relief to its residents.
Many residents who chose to speak to Early Times alleged that the then Tehsildar Rakesh Sharma distributed the flood relief among his relatives and left the entire village population in the lurch. Sanjay Kumar, a Sunderbani resident, said, "People who had pucca houses were given flood-relief and those who were really deserved it were denied. This is injustice. Where shall we go?"
Other residents said that there are hundreds of widows in Sunderbani whose houses were damaged in the deluge. They have not received any assistance from the government, said the locals. Pankaj Shashan, who is presently Sunderbani's Tehsildar, said that he is unaware about this thing.
"I don't have any knowledge about the relief distribution. I have recently joined. How can I know about it?" he said,
Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, said that he will look into the matter. "I will enquire the matter and if any official is found guilty of nepotism, he will be punished," he said. The villagers, however, demand that the case must be brought under vigilance commission so that the guilty may be punished and the affected may get the flood compensation. Former Tehisldar Rakesh Sharma couldn't be contacted for his comments, as his mobile phone was 'switched-off'. |
