Govt failed to help people, says Bhatt

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1

Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, today criticised the state government’s response to the situation obtaining after the cloudbursts in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts in which more than 30 persons reportedly lost their lives.

“An affected person from Maithana village in Chamoli district had called up to tell us that no officer responded to their calls for help. At Kanalichina in Pithoragarh district, officers did not reach the affected area,” said Bhatt.

He added the government had failed to learn lessons from the 2013 natural disaster. “Though the Weather Department had issued an alert, the government was found wanting in necessary measures,” he said.

Further, the BJP has decided to activate its own teams in blocks, nyaya panchayats and districts to take stock of the situation. “Where the government has failed, our workers will take stock of the situation and help people in distress,” he said.