Cuttack: The Orissa Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has expressed displeasure while hearing a petition alleging that many cyclone shelter homes in the state are in a bad shape owing to lack of maintenance and directed the Revenue and Disaster Management Department principal secretary and special relief commissioner (SRC) to appear before it.
Acting on a petition filed by human rights activist Akhand, OHRC directed the two officials to appear before it January 29 and provide status reports of 9,000 cyclone shelter homes in the state.
In his petition, Akhand had stated that about 9,000 shelter homes were set up in the state after the 1999 Super Cyclone. However, majority of these shelter homes were now lying in dilapidated condition and were not suitable for use.
The shelter homes were set up with the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, MP funds and aids from the governments of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi. Some voluntary organisations and private firms had also extended help for setting up the shelter homes. Orissa State Disaster Management Authority had set up 135 shelter homes, while Indian Red Cross Society constructed 65 shelter homes. Besides, many shelter homes are operating from school buildings.
However, many shelter homes do not have adequate facilities. Water leaks from the roof of the shelter homes during rain, while the doors and windows are damaged. The electric and other equipment are also damaged. Besides, many shelter homes still do not have electricity, the petitioner had alleged.
The petitioner further alleged that these dilapidated shelter homes will not serve any purpose during cyclone.
Earlier, hearing the petition, the acting chairperson of the OHRC, Justice BK Mishra, had directed the Revenue and Disaster Management secretary and special relief commissioner to inquire into the state of affairs of the cyclone shelter homes in the state. Subsequently, the Revenue Department had submitted a report to the Commission stating that the shelter homes were being renovated. Besides, several committees were formed for their maintenance.
Meanwhile, the petitioner countered the reports alleging that the committees do not function properly and many shelter homes were still not repaired.
PNN
