[A-List] KUTCHH AFTER FIVE YEARS OF EARTHQUAKE - AN OVERALL VIEW

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KUTCHH AFTER FIVE YEARS OF EARTHQUAKE - AN OVERALL VIEW

A REPORT

INTRODUCTION-
Five years have passed the 2001 Killer Earthquake, which has devastated the
life of Kutchh and killed thousands of people. Socialist Unity Centre of
India (S.U.C.I.) reached Kutchh on the second day of Earthquake, set up its
base camp at Bahchau, and undertook intense medical and material relief work
along with educational and cultural relief. Tarpaulin school was constructed
in the early days, followed by reconstruction of semi-permanent school at
Bhachau.
Shyamji Krishna Verma - Bhagat Singh - Meghani Library was  constructed
within two months of earthquake and multiple cultural activities were
organized to relieve people from mental trauma. Sewing classes for women
were started; mason and carpenter tool kit was distributed for economic
rehabilitation of affected people. Physical training, sports and games were
initiated. We organized tent class at Bhuj for the students of Lalan
College, who are appearing for examination. Professors and lecturers from
Bhuj, Ahmedabad, and Baroda taught them for 15 days.
Along with relief work, S.U.C.I. continuously organized people and raise the
issues of affected people before authority. We formed Earthquake affected
people struggle committee, which led a delegation to local authorities of
Bhachau as well at Bhuj. People's conferences were organized at Bhachau,
Bhuj and Ahmedabad. We also issued open letter to Prime Minister and joined
the demonstration by the senior citizens at Bhuj.
After 1st year and 2nd year of Earthquake, we came out with in depth survey
report and broke the myth of rosy picture of rehabilitation of affected
people created by the government of Gujarat. These reports were eye opener
as it revealed the real face of government tall claims regarding
rehabilitation and resettlement.
A long period of five years has passed after the Earthquake. In the
continuity of earlier survey this year also we tried to probe into the
rehabilitation work of the Earthquake affected Kutchh. Under the leadership
of   SriJayesh Patel and Sri  Tapan Dasgupta  the state leaders of Gujarat
S.U.C.I.a survey team visited Bhuj, Bhachau, Rapar and Anjar, many villages,
met common people, women, peasants, small traders, academicians, students,
youths, workers, leading citizens, media persons, lawyers, and collected the
materials and took stock of the present  situation.
Many things have changed in this five year - New roads, government offices,
school building, court, police station could be observed. Many houses were
also constructed. However, our survey revealed that at one hand people of
this Earthquake, affected people are confronting newer realities, and at
other hand rehabilitation, related work is still pending and as a result,
people are suffering. We tried to find out this newer issues as well as the
pending rehabilitation activity in cities and villages of Kutchh.
REPORT
TEMPORARY SHELTERS HAVE BECOME PERMANENT
It is very astonishing to see the temporary shelters still exist in Bhuj,
Bhachau and Anjar. Though temporary rehabilitation is supposed to be the
transition from temporary to permanent rehabilitation. But after five years,
the temporary shelters have become the permanent rehabilitation.
In Anjar the victims are staying in the   TIN structured houses. The only
change one can see is the deteriorating condition of these TIN structures.
Mostly the tenants are staying in- Bhagat Singh Nagar, Prajapati Nagar,
Mistry Samaj, Brahma Samaj, Kshatriya Samaj.
Water crisis is a regular feature, which comes once in two to three days.
Absence of drainage system turned the Prajapati Nagar into an open gutter,
resulting regular sickness.
In Bhuj, people are still living at temporary shelters of Raghuvansi Nagar
and Dindayal Nagar. They are tenants as well as the landowners, whose
construction work is yet to be started or partially constructed. In Bhachau,
people are staying at Gayatri Nagar
.
PERMANENT REHABILITATION AND INSTALLMENT-UNRESOLVED ISSUE
Government of Gujarat declared various packages for permanent rehabilitation
and categorized as G1 - G5 and sanction Rs. 7 thousand to Rs. 1.5 lacs for
various categories in urban area and Rs. 7 thousand to Rs. 90 thousand in
rural area. In cities, people received Rs. 55 thousand, Rs. 1.5 lacs for
reconstruction according to the size and type of their destroyed house.
Whereas in villages people received Rs. 50 thousand to Rs. 90 thousand. This
money is disbursed in 3 installments (30% first installment, 30% second
installment and 40% third installment). One who wanted to start the
construction work after receiving 1st installment had to acquire approved
plan drawing from respective area development authorities. At various stages
of construction, one receives second and third installment after acquiring
certificate from  the authorized engineers.
Because of this complex procedure, permanent rehabilitation process was
delayed, followed by the corruption from top to bottom. Till this date, many
people could not complete the construction of their houses only because they
had not received either second or the third installment.
One Mr. Kasambhai Sarania and his three brothers have not received second
installment for last 3 years despite they constructed their house up to sea
level. Mr.Khoja's land was acquired by AADA authority. He has neither got
compensation nor received any rehabilitation relief package. He filed a case
in High Court and the Judgment in his favour. However, AADA authority did
not honor the High Court order. Because of this delay in disbursing the
installment or the approval of plans by AADA, more than 50% of construction
activity has not started yet. Many residents of Sitarampura of Bhachau has
not received 2nd and 3rd installment though they have completed construction
of their houses. Same is the problem of Himmatpura and Bhatpalia of Bhachau
Taluka. Purshottambhai Karia residing at Bhatpalia couldnot complete his
house. As a result, 3rd installment has not being released. Similarly, many
people of Bhatpalia have not received 2nd and 3rd installment.
Same is the situation at Bhuj and Rapar. Many people are still staying at
Raghuvanshi Nagar and Dindayal Nagar in BHUJ, as they could not complete
their houses because of administrative hassles. Almost 5 to 8 thousand
people still staying in these temporary shelters.
At Rapar 500 families who had constructed house within 3-4 months of
earthquake, had not received any compensation. Out of 20,302 rural
beneficiaries only 15,210 have received the entire installment. The victims
of Nilpar, Palasvand, Dahisara, Pragpar, Karmaria, Kabrau villages have not
received 3rd installment.

TENANT ISSUE-THE BONE OF CONTENTION

Tenants are the worst sufferer in the total rehabilitation programme. The
complexity starts with the question of proving their tenancy. At Anjar
tenants are staying for such a long period that it has become impossible to
locate their original owners of the house. In most of the cases owner are
not used to give any receipt for the rent, without which tenancy could not
be established
The complexities are due to the declared permanent rehabilitation package
for the tenants. As per the package the government pays the compensatation
to the original owner who will be responsible for reconstruction of house
for the tenant. A year long period will be given to the owner for the
construction, and if he fails, a notice will be served and an extension of
one more year will be given. After this also if the owner fails to
reconstruct the house, the government will take back the money and will
undertake the construction itself. According to a senior citizen, this is a
most impractical package. The result is that, more than 90% of the tenants
are living with an uncertain future
.
TOWN PLANNING-A MAN MADE EARTHQUAKE

The Town planning followed by the killer earthquake with a human face is
totally missing. The total focus is on the roads, lights, administrative
buildings than the proper rehabilitation of the victims. The earthquake
played havoc on the lives of the people, but the town planning evicted them
from their ancestor lands too. The eviction of the victims was much more
ruthless and inhuman and beyond tolerance after the earthquake. There were
sporadic agitations and protest.
Delays, chaos, callous and indifferent attitude of the authority, which is
the order of the day, created a sense of frustration and helplessness among
the citizens. According to concerned leading citizen, "Town planning in
Kutchh is bereft of people's participation".  The government through an
ordinance has removed the clause of people's participation in the town
planning act. Thus in the last five years people had a horrifying
experience. Town planning keep on changing for years and delay in
finalisation delayed rehabilitation and reconstruction. People had to
demolish their repaired or newly constructed house as roads keep on changing
with every town planning.
Bureaucratic functioning and high handedness in the implementing office of
town planning, that is Area Development Authority in the cities, gave way to
immense corruption. Passing the house plan, procuring certificate at the
various stages of construction, releasing 2nd and 3rd installment involved
huge amount of money.
It is reported that Bhuj Area Development Authority (BHADA) procured land
for developmental purpose and then sold to the private parties. It has also
sold land at the higher price than they have paid to its original owner
while procuring the land. In some places BHADA after demolishing an existing
structure sold it to some one else than the original owner.
In Bhachau, presence of town planning was not felt in areas like
Sitarampara, Himatpara and Bhattpalia. According to a leading industrialist
of Kutchch, the implemented of town planning in Bhachau and the subsequent
release of the installments created an explosive situation in Kutchh. He
further added that alike Ahmedabad the total amount of the rehabilitation
package money should have been given to the victims and they should have the
choice to construct their houses according to their requirement.
The newly constructed roads got damaged in the first monsoon shower.

RELOCATION SITE-AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD OF R-R POLICY

Anjar and Bhuj are the two towns where the question of relocation sites is
the most living issue of unsettlement. People lost their land due to
widening of roads in the old city due to town planning. . Bhuj Area
Development Authority earmarked four relocation sites, namely RTO site,
Mundra road site, Rawalwadi site and GIDC road site. People were allotted
plots in these relocation sites through draw system where majority are left
out and staying in rented houses. Though the constructions of houses have
been done by the beneficiaries but they are confronting with newer problems.
Despite the residents had paid the development and the betterment charges
water and drainage connection has not been provided to them. Instead Bhuj
Area Development Authority has asked them to deposit money for water and
drainage connection.
Anjar Area Development Authority has not developed any relocation site but
various caste organisations and religious leaders had acquired land for the
tenants of the respective castes and developing them as relocation sites.

ADOPTION OF VILLAGES-ADOPTERS MISSING-REJECTION OF ADOPTION BY PEOPLE

The over enthusiasm of the voluntary organization to help the victims  gave
an opportunity to the  Government of Gujarat   envisage the package of
adoption of villages to various organisations  as per the package adopted
villages by the NGO  will bear the half of the expenses and Government of
Gujarat will bear the other half.  The opting villages for adoption will not
receive any financial help from the Govt. There are some villages that
refused to accept any adoption and preferred the relief package by
Government. In real situation we see partial adoption as well as total
adoption of villages by various organisations
Government did not set any uniform norms for these adopting organisations.
Some of them provided one room - kitchen, whereas in some other villages
villagers got larger house and better facility. Kunjisar and Kakarva were
reconstructed with all the facility whereas in Indraprastha (Navi Dudhai)
rooms were without plaster and flooring. In Indrasprastha latrine and
bathroom also had not been provided to the people.
Adoption has also segregated villages into multiple segments. Different
caste groups are staying in different segments. Dhudhai, Bandari, Kabrau,
Wondh are few of them where village has been divided into two or three
segments based on caste.

THE UNHEALTHY-HEALTH

 It is one of the most neglected sector.The earthquake played havoc on the
human body.People suffered from multiple injuries.The medical relief was a
temporary relief for the patients which demanded follow-ups.Many went out of
other parts of Gujarat and even Mumbai for treatments and operation and
spent huge amount of money. But those days are gone. Post operational care
and post quake check-up were never done. The recent Health-checkup mela by
Wagad Welfare revealed these things. Thousands of patients thronged to the
Health Mela for check-up. Most of the cases were post earthquake related
ones.
Most of the PHCs are without doctors and adequate staff. There are several
vacancies of doctors, nurses, malaria workers, supervisors. The mobile
medical vans are gathering dust. Some PHC are run by compounders. The
doctors are transferred on and often. Medicines are not available to the
patients. The patients either it is fate accomplish and has started living
with the injuries.
BHUJ HOSPITAL- A GIFT BECAME A BURDEN
Bhuj District hospital is a grand gift to the people of Kutchh, constructed
at the cost of 200 Cr. from Prime Minister's fund, with most modern
equipments and technology.  There is a general feeling of the people that
hospital should be managed by AIIMS or Government of India. People fear that
if such situation continues then after some time these costly instruments
will be shifted to some other hospitals of Gujarat.  There is an
apprehension that the equipment may be shifted depriving the people of
Kutchh.
Before the earth quake no charge was taken from the patient, but now charges
are levied from outdoor to indoors in different heads.
In post earth quake situation this will be a big blow to the economically
weaker section of Kutchh. Infrastructural development is the only
development which one feel very strongly in the quake affected Kutchh.
Collector office, mamlatdar office, government quarter, court building, post
office, roads, every thing is new and colorful. But the same zest is missing
in various localities like relocation sites of Bhuj, Anjar where the basic
infrastructural facilities like water line and drainage lines has not been
provided yet despite Area Development Authorities has collected development
charges and betterment charges. Roads are being constructed every where
except GIDC relocation site at Bhuj and Sitarampara, Himatpara, Junawada
areas of Bhachau. People living in the primary shelters for long five years
almost without any primary facility
EDUCATION
The  educational institution are constructed by the Voluntary organizations.
Nevertheless, there are many schools where  there are only two teachers
for150 students. There is no fresh employment of the teachers. Again the
teachers are engaged  in Government works leaving the students untaught.
Again the menaces of self finance and the commercialization and
privatization of education has started aggressively. The poor economic
situation has propelled the dropouts among the girls students. In most of
them, places are yet to be opened. Though the educational buildings were
constructed, the education has taken the backseat and economic relief for
promotion of education is a distance dream.
JUSTICE DENIED
Justice delayed is the Justice denied. However, here in most of the cases
the Judgments either from the lower court or the higher of High Court is in
favour of the tenants. Victims are not honored by the administration. The
legal procedure is so costly that the most of the people opted out of court
procedure. The Court proceeding against the residents of the Sarvoday Nagar
and the SUCI leaders are still pending in the court for last four years. In
Ahmedabad the builders of the devastated houses are freed from the charges
HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS.
On closer scrutiny one will find people has stopped complaining. They have
lost faith not only in the administration, Govt. but on Judiciary also .The
Govt. and it's administration has not honored the NHRC's recommendation or
the observation of the Gujarat High Court. People's Redressal cell in the
line of Narmada Tribunal was introduced. Similarly the Ombusement   for the
quake effected people for  redressal  was also not  honored.
.
INDUSTRIALISATION SAN EMPLOYMENTFOR LOCALS

After earthquake Government of India declared TAX HOLIDAY to revive the
broken economy of Kutchh. Though in first two years one do not find much of
an industrial growth in Kutchh, but in last three years, number of
industries like chemical and drug, steel, electronic, oil, etc. came to
Kutchh with massive investments. Nevertheless, on the other side industries
which were existing in Kutchh before earth quake and incurred heavy lose
have not received any tax benefit. This resulted into losing of competitive
edge by these local industries as cost of production become higher for them.
Beside, most of the industries, which faced massive damage in the killer
earthquake, could not take the benefit of the declared industrial package of
Rs.1.2 lakh declared by the Government because of administrative hassles.
According to Shree Jayesh Mehta, at the time of earthquake when people were
busy to save the life of their kith and kin, how it will be possible for
them to save and recover their papers and documents. As a result ultimately
many stopped visiting government offices opted out to take the benefit.

EMPLOYMENT- A MIRAGE

Where ever one goes cannot escape the sights of people loitering for
livelihood. Just after the earthquake, people got engaged in debris,
collecting the scraps, iron rods, bricks and other things. As the
construction started, the mansions, carpenters, and the ordinary laborers
got an avenues of livelihood. But as the days passed the construction works
have reached a saturation point.
The spurting industries have failed to provide  employment as desired to the
local people. The upcoming industries are giving more preference to the
outside workers and even the labors than the local people. This very aspects
is becoming matter of discontent in the surrounding villages.

The condition of small traders are equally insecure. They have been shifted
from one places to another  more than 5 to 6 times. Most of them do not have
money to opt for high priced municipal shops.
In general, educated as well as uneducated are leading in uncertainties.
Women as the bread earner
An overall view of almost all the place one can find the women are doing the
Bharat Work. It has become one of the main earning of the women folk in
Kutchh, in addition to the earning of the male folks. The males are trying
to earn either from manual works which is hardly available regularly.
The life has become very difficult, uncertain and insecure and hard more
after the earthquake
CORRUPTION- AN OPEN SECRET
Corruption has become the part and parcel of the whole R-R programme. Only
the corruption on the removal of the  debris has come to limelight due to
the public pressure but there are many unrecorded  but widely felt
corruption which are yet to be unearthed.
SOCIAL ASPECT- AN UN SETTLED SOCIETY?

The Five year of the Killer Earthquake has refreshed the memories of
holocaust of the people Earth quake, rehabilitation, reconstruction, relief
left a deep scar on the socio - cultural life of Kutchh. Despair and
faithlessness have become the part of their life. People learned to keep
quite and tolerate injustice. They become fatalistic and find recourse in
superstition. In the beginning of the killer earthquake they were
overwhelmed by the tender touch of the people of the whole world. They feel
so obliged to them. However, as time passed   there was no end to their
anguish and despair. Moreover, more over the insult and the humiliation from
the Administration and the Govt. is still hurting them. The Administration
was more like military dictatorship minus human face. The earthquake
devastated them but the Administration and the Govt. wrecked them which will
have a far consequence
In general people are yet to settle themselves.


                                             (Dwarikanath Rath)

                                                     Secretary,

       Gujarat State Organising Committee (S.U.C.I.)
Contact:           Ahmedabad      : 206/1, Patel Vas, Madalpur, Ellisbridge,
Ahmedabad-380 006.
                       Vadodara         : 16/118, G.H.B. Colony, Akota
Road, Vadodara-390 020.
                       Surat                : 272, New Priyanka Township,
Dindoli Road, Udhna, Surat.

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