[Imc-india] Fw: KUTCHH AFTER FIVE YEARS OF EARTHQUAKE - AN OVERALL VIEW

Tue Jan 24 10:15:17 PST 2006

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Subject: Fw: KUTCHH AFTER FIVE YEARS OF EARTHQUAKE - AN OVERALL VIEW

KUTCHH AFTER FIVE YEARS OF EARTHQUAKE - AN OVERALL VIEW 

A REPORT

INTRODUCTION-

 Five years have passed the 2001 Killer Earthquake, which has devastated the life of Kutchh and killed thousands of people. Socialist Unity Centre of India (S.U.C.I.) reached Kutchh on the second day of Earthquake, set up its base camp at Bahchau, and undertook intense medical and material relief work along with educational and cultural relief. Tarpaulin school was constructed in the early days, followed by reconstruction of semi-permanent school at Bhachau.

Shyamji Krishna Verma - Bhagat Singh - Meghani Library was  constructed within two months of earthquake and multiple cultural activities were organized to relieve people from mental trauma. Sewing classes for women were started; mason and carpenter tool kit was distributed for economic rehabilitation of affected people. Physical training, sports and games were initiated. We organized tent class at Bhuj for the students of Lalan College, who are appearing for examination. Professors and lecturers from Bhuj, Ahmedabad, and Baroda taught them for 15 days.

Along with relief work, S.U.C.I. continuously organized people and raise the issues of affected people before authority. We formed Earthquake affected people struggle committee, which led a delegation to local authorities of Bhachau as well at Bhuj. People's conferences were organized at Bhachau, Bhuj and Ahmedabad. We also issued open letter to Prime Minister and joined the demonstration by the senior citizens at Bhuj.

After 1st year and 2nd year of Earthquake, we came out with in depth survey report and broke the myth of rosy picture of rehabilitation of affected people created by the government of Gujarat. These reports were eye opener as it revealed the real face of government tall claims regarding rehabilitation and resettlement.

A long period of five years has passed after the Earthquake. In the continuity of earlier survey this year also we tried to probe into the rehabilitation work of the Earthquake affected Kutchh. Under the leadership of   SriJayesh Patel and Sri  Tapan Dasgupta  the state leaders of Gujarat S.U.C.I.a survey team visited Bhuj, Bhachau, Rapar and Anjar, many villages, met common people, women, peasants, small traders, academicians, students, youths, workers, leading citizens, media persons, lawyers, and collected the materials and took stock of the present  situation. 

Many things have changed in this five year - New roads, government offices, school building, court, police station could be observed. Many houses were also constructed. However, our survey revealed that at one hand people of this Earthquake, affected people are confronting newer realities, and at other hand rehabilitation, related work is still pending and as a result, people are suffering. We tried to find out this newer issues as well as the pending rehabilitation activity in cities and villages of Kutchh.

REPORT

TEMPORARY SHELTERS HAVE BECOME PERMANENT

It is very astonishing to see the temporary shelters still exist in Bhuj, Bhachau and Anjar. Though temporary rehabilitation is supposed to be the transition from temporary to permanent rehabilitation. But after five years, the temporary shelters have become the permanent rehabilitation. 

In Anjar the victims are staying in the   TIN structured houses. The only change one can see is the deteriorating condition of these TIN structures. Mostly the tenants are staying in- Bhagat Singh Nagar, Prajapati Nagar, Mistry Samaj, Brahma Samaj, Kshatriya Samaj. 

Water crisis is a regular feature, which comes once in two to three days. Absence of drainage system turned the Prajapati Nagar into an open gutter, resulting regular sickness. 

In Bhuj, people are still living at temporary shelters of Raghuvansi Nagar and Dindayal Nagar. They are tenants as well as the landowners, whose construction work is yet to be started or partially constructed. In Bhachau, people are staying at Gayatri Nagar

.

PERMANENT REHABILITATION AND INSTALLMENT-UNRESOLVED ISSUE

Government of Gujarat declared various packages for permanent rehabilitation and categorized as G1 - G5 and sanction Rs. 7 thousand to Rs. 1.5 lacs for various categories in urban area and Rs. 7 thousand to Rs. 90 thousand in rural area. In cities, people received Rs. 55 thousand, Rs. 1.5 lacs for reconstruction according to the size and type of their destroyed house. Whereas in villages people received Rs. 50 thousand to Rs. 90 thousand. This money is disbursed in 3 installments (30% first installment, 30% second installment and 40% third installment). One who wanted to start the construction work after receiving 1st installment had to acquire approved plan drawing from respective area development authorities. At various stages of construction, one receives second and third installment after acquiring certificate from  the authorized engineers.

Because of this complex procedure, permanent rehabilitation process was delayed, followed by the corruption from top to bottom. Till this date, many people could not complete the construction of their houses only because they had not received either second or the third installment.

 One Mr. Kasambhai Sarania and his three brothers have not received second installment for last 3 years despite they constructed their house up to sea level. Mr.Khoja's land was acquired by AADA authority. He has neither got compensation nor received any rehabilitation relief package. He filed a case in High Court and the Judgment in his favour. However, AADA authority did not honor the High Court order. Because of this delay in disbursing the installment or the approval of plans by AADA, more than 50% of construction activity has not started yet. Many residents of Sitarampura of Bhachau has not received 2nd and 3rd installment though they have completed construction of their houses. Same is the problem of Himmatpura and Bhatpalia of Bhachau Taluka. Purshottambhai Karia residing at Bhatpalia couldnot complete his house. As a result, 3rd installment has not being released. Similarly, many people of Bhatpalia have not received 2nd and 3rd installment. 

Same is the situation at Bhuj and Rapar. Many people are still staying at Raghuvanshi Nagar and Dindayal Nagar in BHUJ, as they could not complete their houses because of administrative hassles. Almost 5 to 8 thousand people still staying in these temporary shelters. 

At Rapar 500 families who had constructed house within 3-4 months of earthquake, had not received any compensation. Out of 20,302 rural beneficiaries only 15,210 have received the entire installment. The victims of Nilpar, Palasvand, Dahisara, Pragpar, Karmaria, Kabrau villages have not received 3rd installment.

TENANT ISSUE-THE BONE OF CONTENTION

Tenants are the worst sufferer in the total rehabilitation programme. The complexity starts with the question of proving their tenancy. At Anjar tenants are staying for such a long period that it has become impossible to locate their original owners of the house. In most of the cases owner are not used to give any receipt for the rent, without which tenancy could not be established

The complexities are due to the declared permanent rehabilitation package for the tenants. As per the package the government pays the compensatation to the original owner who will be responsible for reconstruction of house for the tenant. A year long period will be given to the owner for the construction, and if he fails, a notice will be served and an extension of one more year will be given. After this also if the owner fails to reconstruct the house, the government will take back the money and will undertake the construction itself. According to a senior citizen, this is a most impractical package. The result is that, more than 90% of the tenants are living with an uncertain future

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TOWN PLANNING-A MAN MADE EARTHQUAKE

The Town planning followed by the killer earthquake with a human face is totally missing. The total focus is on the roads, lights, administrative buildings than the proper rehabilitation of the victims. The earthquake played havoc on the lives of the people, but the town planning evicted them from their ancestor lands too. The eviction of the victims was much more ruthless and inhuman and beyond tolerance after the earthquake. There were sporadic agitations and protest. 

Delays, chaos, callous and indifferent attitude of the authority, which is the order of the day, created a sense of frustration and helplessness among the citizens. According to concerned leading citizen, "Town planning in Kutchh is bereft of people's participation".  The government through an ordinance has removed the clause of people's participation in the town planning act. Thus in the last five years people had a horrifying experience. Town planning keep on changing for years and delay in finalisation delayed rehabilitation and reconstruction. People had to demolish their repaired or newly constructed house as roads keep on changing with every town planning. 

Bureaucratic functioning and high handedness in the implementing office of town planning, that is Area Development Authority in the cities, gave way to immense corruption. Passing the house plan, procuring certificate at the various stages of construction, releasing 2nd and 3rd installment involved huge amount of money. 

It is reported that Bhuj Area Development Authority (BHADA) procured land for developmental purpose and then sold to the private parties. It has also sold land at the higher price than they have paid to its original owner while procuring the land. In some places BHADA after demolishing an existing structure sold it to some one else than the original owner. 

In Bhachau, presence of town planning was not felt in areas like Sitarampara, Himatpara and Bhattpalia. According to a leading industrialist of Kutchch, the implemented of town planning in Bhachau and the subsequent release of the installments created an explosive situation in Kutchh. He further added that alike Ahmedabad the total amount of the rehabilitation package money should have been given to the victims and they should have the choice to construct their houses according to their requirement. 

The newly constructed roads got damaged in the first monsoon shower. 

RELOCATION SITE-AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD OF R-R POLICY 

Anjar and Bhuj are the two towns where the question of relocation sites is the most living issue of unsettlement. People lost their land due to widening of roads in the old city due to town planning. . Bhuj Area Development Authority earmarked four relocation sites, namely RTO site, Mundra road site, Rawalwadi site and GIDC road site. People were allotted plots in these relocation sites through draw system where majority are left out and staying in rented houses. Though the constructions of houses have been done by the beneficiaries but they are confronting with newer problems. Despite the residents had paid the development and the betterment charges water and drainage connection has not been provided to them. Instead Bhuj Area Development Authority has asked them to deposit money for water and drainage connection. 

Anjar Area Development Authority has not developed any relocation site but various caste organisations and religious leaders had acquired land for the tenants of the respective castes and developing them as relocation sites. 

ADOPTION OF VILLAGES-ADOPTERS MISSING-REJECTION OF ADOPTION BY PEOPLE

The over enthusiasm of the voluntary organization to help the victims  gave an opportunity to the  Government of Gujarat   envisage the package of adoption of villages to various organisations  as per the package adopted  villages by the NGO  will bear the half of the expenses and Government of Gujarat will bear the other half.  The opting villages for adoption will not receive any financial help from the Govt. There are some villages that refused to accept any adoption and preferred the relief package by Government. In real situation we see partial adoption as well as total adoption of villages by various organisations

Government did not set any uniform norms for these adopting organisations. Some of them provided one room - kitchen, whereas in some other villages villagers got larger house and better facility. Kunjisar and Kakarva were reconstructed with all the facility whereas in Indraprastha (Navi Dudhai) rooms were without plaster and flooring. In Indrasprastha latrine and bathroom also had not been provided to the people.

Adoption has also segregated villages into multiple segments. Different caste groups are staying in different segments. Dhudhai, Bandari, Kabrau, Wondh are few of them where village has been divided into two or three segments based on caste.

THE UNHEALTHY-HEALTH

  It is one of the most neglected sector.The earthquake played havoc on the human body.People suffered from multiple injuries.The medical relief was a temporary relief for the patients which demanded follow-ups.Many went out of other parts of Gujarat and even Mumbai for treatments and operation and spent huge amount of money. But those days are gone. Post operational care and post quake check-up were never done. The recent Health-checkup mela by Wagad Welfare revealed these things. Thousands of patients thronged to the Health Mela for check-up. Most of the cases were post earthquake related ones.

Most of the PHCs are without doctors and adequate staff. There are several vacancies of doctors, nurses, malaria workers, supervisors. The mobile medical vans are gathering dust. Some PHC are run by compounders. The doctors are transferred on and often. Medicines are not available to the patients. The patients either it is fate accomplish and has started living with the injuries.

BHUJ HOSPITAL- A GIFT BECAME A BURDEN

Bhuj District hospital is a grand gift to the people of Kutchh, constructed at the cost of 200 Cr. from Prime Minister's fund, with most modern equipments and technology.  There is a general feeling of the people that hospital should be managed by AIIMS or Government of India. People fear that if such situation continues then after some time these costly instruments will be shifted to some other hospitals of Gujarat.  There is an apprehension that the equipment may be shifted depriving the people of Kutchh. 

Before the earth quake no charge was taken from the patient, but now charges are levied from outdoor to indoors in different heads.

In post earth quake situation this will be a big blow to the economically weaker section of Kutchh. Infrastructural development is the only development which one feel very strongly in the quake affected Kutchh. Collector office, mamlatdar office, government quarter, court building, post office, roads, every thing is new and colorful. But the same zest is missing in various localities like relocation sites of Bhuj, Anjar where the basic infrastructural facilities like water line and drainage lines has not been provided yet despite Area Development Authorities has collected development charges and betterment charges. Roads are being constructed every where except GIDC relocation site at Bhuj and Sitarampara, Himatpara, Junawada areas of Bhachau. People living in the primary shelters for long five years almost without any primary facility

EDUCATION

The  educational institution are constructed by the Voluntary organizations. Nevertheless, there are many schools where  there are only two teachers for150 students. There is no fresh employment of the teachers. Again the teachers are engaged  in Government works leaving the students untaught. Again the menaces of self finance and the commercialization and privatization of education has started aggressively. The poor economic situation has propelled the dropouts among the girls students. In most of them, places are yet to be opened. Though the educational buildings were constructed, the education has taken the backseat and economic relief for promotion of education is a distance dream.

JUSTICE DENIED

Justice delayed is the Justice denied. However, here in most of the cases the Judgments either from the lower court or the higher of High Court is in favour of the tenants. Victims are not honored by the administration. The legal procedure is so costly that the most of the people opted out of court procedure. The Court proceeding against the residents of the Sarvoday Nagar and the SUCI leaders are still pending in the court for last four years. In Ahmedabad the builders of the devastated houses are freed from the charges

HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS.  

On closer scrutiny one will find people has stopped complaining. They have lost faith not only in the administration, Govt. but on Judiciary also .The Govt. and it's administration has not honored the NHRC's recommendation or the observation of the Gujarat High Court. People's Redressal cell in the line of Narmada Tribunal was introduced. Similarly the Ombusement   for the quake effected people for  redressal  was also not  honored.

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INDUSTRIALISATION SAN EMPLOYMENTFOR LOCALS

After earthquake Government of India declared TAX HOLIDAY to revive the broken economy of Kutchh. Though in first two years one do not find much of an industrial growth in Kutchh, but in last three years, number of industries like chemical and drug, steel, electronic, oil, etc. came to Kutchh with massive investments. Nevertheless, on the other side industries which were existing in Kutchh before earth quake and incurred heavy lose have not received any tax benefit. This resulted into losing of competitive edge by these local industries as cost of production become higher for them. Beside, most of the industries, which faced massive damage in the killer earthquake, could not take the benefit of the declared industrial package of Rs.1.2 lakh declared by the Government because of administrative hassles. According to Shree Jayesh Mehta, at the time of earthquake when people were busy to save the life of their kith and kin, how it will be possible for them to save and recover their papers and documents. As a result ultimately many stopped visiting government offices opted out to take the benefit.

EMPLOYMENT- A MIRAGE

Where ever one goes cannot escape the sights of people loitering for livelihood. Just after the earthquake, people got engaged in debris, collecting the scraps, iron rods, bricks and other things. As the construction started, the mansions, carpenters, and the ordinary laborers got an avenues of livelihood. But as the days passed the construction works  have reached a saturation point.

The spurting industries have failed to provide  employment as desired to the local people. The upcoming industries are giving more preference to the outside workers and even the labors than the local people. This very aspects is becoming matter of discontent in the surrounding villages.

The condition of small traders are equally insecure. They have been shifted from one places to another  more than 5 to 6 times. Most of them do not have money to opt for high priced municipal shops.

In general, educated as well as uneducated are leading in uncertainties.    

Women as the bread earner

An overall view of almost all the place one can find the women are doing the Bharat Work. It has become one of the main earning of the women folk in Kutchh, in addition to the earning of the male folks. The males are trying to earn either from manual works which is hardly available regularly. 

The life has become very difficult, uncertain and insecure and hard more after the earthquake

CORRUPTION- AN OPEN SECRET

Corruption has become the part and parcel of the whole R-R programme. Only the corruption on the removal of the  debris has come to limelight due to the public pressure but there are many unrecorded  but widely felt corruption which are yet to be unearthed.

SOCIAL ASPECT- AN UN SETTLED SOCIETY?

The Five year of the Killer Earthquake has refreshed the memories of holocaust of the people Earth quake, rehabilitation, reconstruction, relief left a deep scar on the socio - cultural life of Kutchh. Despair and faithlessness have become the part of their life. People learned to keep quite and tolerate injustice. They become fatalistic and find recourse in superstition. In the beginning of the killer earthquake they were overwhelmed by the tender touch of the people of the whole world. They feel so obliged to them. However, as time passed   there was no end to their anguish and despair. Moreover, more over the insult and the humiliation from the Administration and the Govt. is still hurting them. The Administration was more like military dictatorship minus human face. The earthquake devastated them but the Administration and the Govt. wrecked them which will have a far consequence

In general people are yet to settle themselves.

                                                                                                                          (Dwarikanath Rath)

                                                                                                                                  Secretary,

                                                                                    Gujarat State Organising Committee (S.U.C.I.)

Contact:           Ahmedabad      : 206/1, Patel Vas, Madalpur, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad-380 006.

                        Vadodara         : 16/118, G.H.B. Colony, Akota Road, Vadodara-390 020.

                        Surat                : 272, New Priyanka Township, Dindoli Road, Udhna, Surat.

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