Medha Patkar Blames Center, State for Flood in Bihar

Patna: Sept. 6, 2008

Noted social activist Medha Patkar, after conducting a survey of the flood-hit areas in North Bihar on Saturday, blasted the state government for failing to provide timely and adequate relief to the victims of the flood in the state saying the arrangement was so pathetic that it is enough to give anyone a cringe.

"There are people who are sick for over ten days. The physicians engaged in the flood relief operation write them prescriptions and think their job is over. For food, the victims are given some chura and gud or some khichri and that's the extent of help from the government," Patkar said adding this year's flood was not the result of a natural catastrophe but was caused by human errors and ignorance.

Patkar also indicted the Central government for failing to hold talks with Nepal and acting swiftly in dispatching relief to flood-affected areas.

"It is clear that the Center has no interest in the welfare of Bihar. While declaring it a national disaster, the Cabinet failed to hold even a single meeting to discuss situation in the state," Patkar said while also demanding a full judicial probe into any administrative lapse.