Shun politics during calamities, govt tells oppn

Bhubaneswar, Oct 17: The Odisha government on Thursday appealed to opposition parties to cooperate with the administration instead of criticising the government to help people get relief materials after the destruction wrecked by Cyclone Phailin.

“I appeal to opposition parties not to indulge into politics. If they have any problem, they can directly contact the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), district collectors and me,” revenue and disaster management minister SN Patro said.

The minister was referring to media reports on opposition parties’ allegation against the BJD government. Congress and BJP had accused it of failing to provide relief to cyclone and flood victims.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Jayadev Jena and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Bhupinder Singh had alleged that the state government had miserably failed in carrying out relief operations properly, particularly in the worst-hit Ganjam district.

People are yet to get relief in many areas even four days after the cyclone and Odisha government has failed to restore supply of electricity and water, they alleged.

CPI state secretary Dibakar Nayak demanded immediate steps for restoration of electricity and water supply in areas affected by cyclone and resultant floods. (PTI)