Diabolical Disaster

The recent natural disaster triggered by cloud burst in Arakot and nearby villages in Uttarkashi district has again brought into fore the ill preparedness of the departments concerned to deal with such situations. The unique geography and presence of Himalayas which apart from being the loftiest mountains in the world are also most sensitive and disaster prone area make things difficult for the state. Incidentally Uttarakhand was the first state in the country where a separate ministry of disaster management was created but the state has yet to set into place an efficient and prompt system of disaster management. This time too, the rescue workers took almost 12 hours to reach the site of the disaster.  One fails to understand the rationale behind keeping the headquarters of Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre in Dehradun. It would be prudent to shift this centre to a place located in mountainous terrain. The fragile health care system of the state was also exposed by the disaster in Uttarkashi. The fact that the victims of disaster who received minor injuries also were taken all the way to Government Doon Medical College in Dehradun which is almost 200 kms away from Arakot, speaks volumes of the pathetic health system in the Himalayan state. 

Miserable Minister

Regular interference by a leader of saffron party who now holds a powerful position in Delhi Darbar is causing heartburns in Dehradun. This leader who once had adorned the position of chieftain of the Himalayan state is particularly taking interests in affairs of a department which employs largest number of employees in Uttarakhand. It is learnt that he is in direct touch with the officials of the department to dictate his terms. In one matter relating to the transfers, the Babus of the department are faced with a piquant situation as views of this powerful leader and department’s minister are antagonistic.  Naturally his poking of nose in the affairs of his department has not gone down well with the minister. However given the power enjoyed by the leader in the party and administration and fact that things at present are not very bright for him has forced the minister of TSR cabinet, otherwise known for his macho image,  to eat a humble pie and keep quiet, at least for the time being.

Damp Squib

The faction ridden state unit of Congress party continued its poor show -that has become agonizingly long now- as the week long programme held to commemorate the 75th  birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi turned out to be a flop show.  The party had announced a series of block, district and state level events to mark the birth anniversary of late leader with great expectations of revival but all their plans went awry. Barring the state level programme of ‘Sadhbhavna Yatra’ in Haridwar where party workers assembled in good numbers all other events failed to imbibe enthusiasm in the rank and file of the moribund party. In a blood donation camp organised at the biggest government hospital of the state located in Dehradun, less than 15 units of blood were collected which clearly underlies lack of zeal among the leaders and workers of the grand old party.