NMC seeks better amenities for riot-hit

The National Minorities Commission today ticked off the Gujarat Government over the condition of displaced riot-hit families.

The National Minorities Commission NMC today ticked off the Gujarat Government over the condition of displaced riot-hit families. Calling the situation 8216;difficult8217; and the state8217;s rehabilitation measures 8216;inadequate8217;, the three-member NMC team demanded renewed attention towards the riot-affected.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Narendra Modi cautioned the team not to fall prey to the practice of using an event to divide the nation along communal lines. 8220;The state government does not discriminate between its citizens on any ground. It cares for all Gujaratis,8221; Modi said.

The team members visited 17 camps in Ahmedabad, Panchmahals, Dahod and Sabarkantha districts between them over three days. After a marathon interaction with government officials, followed by a 50-minute meeting with Modi, the NMC said there was a problem of livelihood and issues of basic civic amenities. 8220;The condition is difficult and presents a strong case for help,8221; said NMC vice chairman Michael Pinto.

8220;It8217;s inadequate in terms of basic necessities and issues like safe drinking water, roads and electricity need to be addressed soon. Certain things can be done, and should be done. It is the responsibility of the government,8221; said member Zoya Hasan.

Calling the interaction 8220;cordial, frank and constructive,8221; member Dilip Padgaonkar said while they drew Modi8217;s attention towards their concerns, the CM explained his perspective. NMC members were particularly unhappy with the 8220;relief8221; oriented approach of the government. 8220;Unfortunately, rehabilitation is not the issue with the government and that is what we wanted to force upon,8221; said Hasan.

But Modi was clearly unhappy. In a CMO press release, he said: 8220;Those in the habit of defaming Gujarat are not well-wishers of social unity.8221;

The Commission, which would soon prepare a report on the status of the riot victims, has demanded three things: immediate attention toward civic amenities; address livelihood issues through an economic package and larger policy that addresses the displacement of riot-hit.