Minister faces the wrath of the flood-hit people

Kendrapara, Sep 2 (UNI) The flood situation continued to be grim in Orissa with the mighty Mahanadi and its distributaries inundating vast tracts affecting over 1,5 million people in 12 of the state's 30 districts, official reports today said.

Orissa Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal had to face angry protesters, who were bitter over lack of proper rescue and relief initiatives from the authorities near Gop here during his visit to this flood-hit district.

Mr Samal, who came on a chopper accompanied by Revenue Secretary G V V Venugopal Sharma, had a tough time trying to assuage the feelings of thousands of people critical of the district administration's complacency concerning relief and rehabilitation measures.

Over 5,000 people had shifted to the National Highway No 5(A) near here since Thursday night trying to escape the fury of the floods. All of them were from nearby villages, that had been marooned.

In fact, despite running a coalition, differences between the Biju Janata Dal and BJP came into the fore today at the flood review meeting with Lok Sabha Member from Kendrapara, Archana Nayak expressing her displeasure about official relief measures.

While Mr Nayak belongs to the BJD, Mr Samal was from the BJP.

Later speaking to newsmen here, Mr Samal described the flood situation as grave and assured of restoring all supportive measures within next 12 hours.

''We are getting 200 boats for Kendrapara district alone along with adequate stock of kerosene and drinking water pouches. Rescue and relief would be executed on a war-footing,'' said Mr Samal.

Meanwhile, in a sudden move, the state government today transferred Collector of Kendrapara Jyoti Prakash Das. He had been asked to report in the General Administration Department.

Mr Kashinath Sahu, presently working as Additional Commissioner of Transport Department, had been posted to replace Mr Das as the District Collector, Kendrapara. Mr Sahu had been asked to immediately take charge, an official release said.

The posting of a new Collector in Kendrapara assumed significance in the wake of Mr Samal's visit to the district today.

Official sources said Mr Das was transferred due to improper management of relief work.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is slated to visit Kendrapara district tomorrow.

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