After the flood, a trickle

THE Prime Minister8217;s National Relief Fund has collected over Rs 910 crore over the past five months through 1.9 lakh cheques that have ...

THE Prime Minister8217;s National Relief Fund has collected over Rs 910 crore over the past five months through 1.9 lakh cheques that have come in as contributions after the tsunami disaster of December 26, 2004. However only Rs 80 crore has so far been disbursed to victims in the form of ex gratia payments. The target is to reach these ex gratia payments to 15,000 victims or their families in tsunami-affected areas in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Kerala.

Compared to the Gujarat earthquake January 26, 2001, the previous major national disaster, after which Rs 420 crore was collected, the Prime Minister8217;s Relief Fund has seen far more generous donations. Special staff is still 8216;8216;working overtime8217;8217; to handle the weight of public generosity in the form of cheques, drafts, cash and online payments, says the Prime Minister8217;s Office.

People ranging from sweepers and rickshaw pullers to film stars and industrial captains have contributed to the rapidly swelling coffers. For example students of six schools handed over Rs 10.4 lakh, pooling in their pocket money.

STUNG by accusations that the relief money is not going to those who need it most 8212; and certainly not fast enough 8212; the PMO defends itself. 8216;8216;We are monitoring to see there are no leakages or errant officials,8217;8217; says PMO official, 8216;8216;but it is the state government that has to oversee the flow of funds on the ground. There are instances when victims move on without a forwarding address and it is very difficult to track them down.8217;8217;

With ex gratia payments taking up a very small component, those involved in the prime minister8217;s fundraiser are also looking at projects to build permanent assets for longterm rehabilitation. But money for the project work is from the National Calamity Relief Fund, monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The movement of Calamity Fund is being closely watched by the central government as well as agencies commissioned by them on the ground. Based on recommendations from state governments, only 25 per cent of the requisitioned amount is being released for a project initially.

8216;8216;After completion of the initial phase, our agents conduct a survey and report to us before we release another 50 per cent. The remaining amount will be released just before the actual completion of the project.8217;8217; says a PMO official. Another reason for the caution is that an account of every rupee spent will have to be made public over a period of time.

Still, Rs 80 crore out of Rs 910 crore is less than 10 per cent. The PMO has to live with the implications of that figure.