OGP lambasts Government

Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 (UNI) Former Orissa Minister and president of Orissa Gana Parishad Bijoy Mohapatra criticized the state government for " utterly failing in flood relief and rescue operations." " The people who have left their homes and are virtually out on road to escape the gusty waters are starving. I could see neither any official, nor an iota of relief after spending 24 hours with them," Mohapatra told newspersons after a tour of the flood-affected parts of Kendrapara district.

A former law maker from Patkura assembly segment of Kendrapara district, Mohapatra alleged that only two rubber boats have been pressed into service for rescue mission when the situation demands at least 50 such boats.

" You just cannot offer relief nor rescue people sitting in Bhubaneswar, which the Naveen Patnaik government is precisely doing," said the OGP leader.

Asserting that over a lakh of people had been badly hit by floods in Kendrapara district, Mohapatra said the government lacked the nerve to confront the calamity boldly.

Demanding immediate relief and rescue initiatives on a war-footing, Mohapatra said the people would never forgive the Naveen Patnaik government for its 'curious complacency'.

UNI XC KK DB1640