In pics: Natural calamity in North India

Updated: Friday, June 28, 2013, 16:36 [IST]

Dehradun, June 27: After the floods, the threat is from man himself. The beleaguered state government in Uttarakhand fear that corruption and bureaucratic red tape would disrupt the efforts to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed in the unprecedented disaster.

Uttarakhand chief secretary Subhash Kumar said in an interview that the authorities now face a daunting task to tackle human greed. Kumar said various departments have started making demands for huge funds and they needed to take a call on whether the money meant for rebuilding should be left at the mercy of local officials.

He acknowledged that there are people who cherish such situations for they give an opportunity for making fast bucks.

The chief secretary also said that bureaucratic delays would pose another challenge and said that the government was thinking of setting up a regulatory authority under the chief minister to overcome obstacles in speedy reconstruction.

Kumar also said that single tender situation will be encouraged by contractors' cartels to bag the big contracts. He said transparent norms would be required for procuring and awarding the contracts.

Whatever be the state plans, the fact is that Utatrakhand can not afford to witness a delayed and corruption-infected response for it has suffered massive destruction and it could take years to bring things back to normalcy.

Uttarakhand floods victims on their arrival

Hyderabad: Uttarakhand floods victims on their arrival by special flight at Hyderabad airport on Wednesday.

IAF chief in Gauchar

Gauchar: IAF Chief NAK Browne interacts with the media at Gauchar airport in Uttrakhand on Wednesday.

Pictures and notices of missing people

Dehradun: A paramilitary soldier looks at the gate of an airport, covered with special announcements and pictures of missing people in flood affected.

Army's rescue operation

Lambagar: Army personnel constructing an iron foot bridge to rescue pilgrims at Lambagar in Uttarakhand on Wednesday.

Rescue work in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand: Army personnel rescuing stranded pilgrims in flood-hit Uttarakhand.

Rescue work in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand: Army personnel distrubute foods among rescued pilgrims in flood-hit Uttarakhand.

Rescued pilgrims at Gauchar

Gauchar: Army doctors provide medical help to a seriously ill pilgrim in Gauchar on Tuesday.

Truck falls in Bhagirathi River

Uttarkashi: A truck carrying LPG cylinders falls in Bhagirathi River from a washed away road in Uttarkashi on Tuesday.

Police personnel administer State honors

Haridwar: Police personnel administer State honors to Uttarakhand disaster victims, during their cremation in Haridwar on Tuesday.

Army soldiers carry an injured rescued pilgrim

Gauchar: Army soldiers carry an injured rescued pilgrim on a stretcher in Gauchar on Tuesday.

Indian Air Force personnel unloading relief material from a chopper

Guptkashi: Indian Air Force personnel unloading relief material from a chopper during their flood relief operations at Guptakashi near Kedarnath in Uttrakhand on Thursday.