Now, Mufti’s minister cries foul over quake relief

Sofi has also forwarded a list of goods received by various officials at Baramulla, Handwara and Kupwara and that actually received by quake-affected people. ‘‘The list has the quantity of goods provided by Police Control Room, Srinagar and those shown to have been received in Handwara and Kupwara,’’ Sofi told The Indian Express.

He has demanded a probe into the alleged irregularities and called for immediate action against ‘‘officials concerned’’. Sofi has called for a probe into alleged misappropriation in ‘‘other affected areas’’ as well. ‘‘Misappropriation of relief goods in Uri can’t be ruled out,’’ Sofi has written.

However, 12 days after the letter was despatched, the Government has yet to initiate any action. Sofi said he had even sent a reminder on October 25 but there had been no response.

‘‘On my part, to minimise misappropriation of relief material, I constituted joint survey committees with members from Forest, Revenue, Education, Horticulture and Rural Development departments,’’ he said.

Sofi’s letter is in tune with allegations by quake-hit people in Uri and Tanghdar that political tilts decided who received relief and who did not. In Uri, former food and supplies minister Taj Mohiuddin was accused of indulging in favouritism, by the Baramulla Deputy Commissioner. This had forced the government to remove the official as the head of relief operations in Uri.