Amritsar DC flags ‘hoarding’ concerns, issues advisory

With NGOs, religious deras and teams of volunteers of the district administration amplifying relief work, trying to provide ration, medicines and other essentials like tarpaulines to those still stranded in remote areas of Ajnala and Ramdas, DC Sakshi Sawhney has issued advisory against “hoarding” and stocking of relief material by some shopkeepers.

Issuing directions to mediapersons, volunteers and organisations working on the ground at Ajnala and Ramdas, the DC said, “In case you get any complaint that relief has not been given to any individual, kindly take their contact details and location so that it can be verified. We have been maintaining a stock register and are getting complaints of hoarding of relief material, so we would be in a position then to check the veracity of the complaint and also ensure equitable distribution.

“We are also checking at our own level, but since all of you are also in the field it would be a great service to humanity and help us ensure equity. We need to ensure that no person is left out and also that unscrupulous elements do not make profit of this great devastation.”

Even reports were received that some of the families in remote villages along the International Border in affected areas have still not received any help. People from remote villages like Pachian and Saharan Kasowal in Ramdas, which are just 2-3 km away from the Pakistan border, have stated they have received no relief so far as people from villages ahead, relatively safer, have “grabbed” the aid. While volunteers, who are helping in relief operations, have shared videos online of the ‘loot’ of relief and ration aid from trolleys by certain people, who claim to be flood victims, there has been no official verification of the same.

The NGOs and volunteers have also urged the donors to not send dry ration supplies in abundance as there is no storage facility to keep such huge amounts. Instead, they are encouraging volunteers and donors to first enquire about what kind of relief material is required and then contribute to avoid any wastage or distribution disruption.