Opposition targets govt on floods in Haryana Assembly, asks why there was no advance preparation

The issue came for discussions following a Calling Attention Motion moved by the Opposition MLAs. While referring to the last month’s heavy rains and floods, BJP MLA Harvinder Kalyan said that it was the first time when such a scenario was witnessed after 1975. State power minister Ranjit Singh Chautala said that 12 power sub stations had got submerged in Ambala due to excessive rains.

In the beginning of the discussion, Congress MLA Varun Chaudhary pointed out the problems being faced by the residents in reporting their losses via government portal. Giving an example of Ambala Sadar area, Chaudhary said that the residents of this town have the option to submit their losses in print format too while the people of rural areas have only one option — submit the losses via portal. Other Congress MLAs too objected to such a provision stating that this system has become a reason of problem for the people as a large number of them—especially farmers — are not so educated and prosperous. Former education minister Geeta Bhukkal claimed that a significant number of people could not upload their losses on the government portal.

Terming the illegal mining in Yamuna as a significant contributor for this year’s floods, Congress MLA Bishan Lal Saini said that this time floods caused more losses despite less water in it in comparison to previous years.
The Congress MLA also insisted that the preparations to deal with the floods should have been made at least 3-4 months in advance.

Expressing similar sentiments, Congress MLA Mewa Ram said: “Whether the government was sleeping? Why was the sand not extracted from the rivers in advance?”

Independent MLA Balraj Kundu claimed that several hamlets of his constituency Meham were not included in the list of flood-hit villages adding that the people were not able to cultivate next crop too due to waterlogging in their fields. However, Chautala clarified that the excessive rains, not the floods, caused waterlogging in Rohtak district.
INLD leader Abhay Chautala hit out at the government for not making adequate arrangements to deal with the situation of floods in advance despite a provision of Rs 1,100 crore a few months back.

The Ellenabad MLA claimed that the local people contributed a lot by providing sand through their tractor-trolleys for an embankment near Ghaggar river in Sirsa. “But the district administration did not do anything this time. There was no arrangement. The people said that at least an electricity bulb should be fitted there so that they can continue their work. I asked an SDO for the same.”

On his part, Ranjit Chautala defended the Sirsa administration stating their work has been praised at every platform.
“Despite his illness, the deputy commissioner did work even during the night hours,” said Ranjit Chautala.

287 per cent excess rain in July’s 4 days, says Dushyant

Haryana deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala Friday said that whatever damage has been caused to the life, property, farm or business of any citizen due to the recent flood disaster, it will be completely compensated as per the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

While replying to a Calling Attention Motion on the first day of the Monsoon Session, Chautala said that the state government promptly took all necessary steps and precaution to prevent and to reduce the impact of the flood. “As many as 7,868 persons were evacuated, 60 relief camps were organized, and 2,031 persons were shifted to relief camps.”

Chautala apprised the House that during July 8 to July 12, state’s cumulative rainfall was 110 mm against the normal of 28.4 mm, indicating 287% excess rainfall. Yamunanagar, Kurukshtera, Panchkula and Ambala received 842%, 814%, 699% and 514% excess rainfall, respectively. For the first time in the history of Haryana, the government declared 1,469 villages and four municipal areas in 12 districts as flood affected, he added. He said whenever a natural calamity or other disaster strikes, the Haryana government promptly assists people and proactively compensates them.