Ksha fire victims await relief

Kuldeep Chauhan

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, March 12

Even over two months after the incident, Ksha fire victims are still awaiting compensation from the government for apple orchards destroyed by the December 22 forest fire in Bamta panchayat in Chopal sub-division.

The Bamta panchayat passed a resolution recently and put the loss to apple orchards at Rs 6 crore. Hardyal Panta, up-pradhan, gram panchayat, Bamta, said, “We will meet the Chief Minister soon, seeking compensation as all apple trees burnt by the fire have dried up and the villagers have left with no source of income”, he added.

The fire victims rue that neither any minister nor the Deputy Commissioner had visited the village to assess the situation so far. “Our grouse is that Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Shimla MP Virender Kashyap, Deputy Commissioner and other officials rushed to Tangnu in Rohru, where a similar fire incident took place. But they have ignored Ksha fire victims. Local MLA came here and donated Rs 60,000 each to the six homeless families, besides SDM, Chopal, who donated financial assistance and ration”, they said.

They say that the fire destroyed not only 16 houses, but also their only source of livelihood — apple orchards. Ram Bahadur, a Nepali labourer, succumbed to burn injuries at the IGMC.

“As as many 450 apple trees and a small old house were burnt in fire. My chowkidar also died, but I got Rs 5,000 as compensation given by a local MLA”, rued Daleep Panta, who also had lost his timber and stock of grass in the fire.

The villagers blamed the Forest Department as the fire started from chil plantation of the department near Juru Nalla on December 22 night and ravaged the entire village.

SDM Chopal Anil Chauhan said loss to apple orchards would be assessed by March 31. On its part, the district administration chipped in and gave Rs 1 lakh each to 11 families rendered homeless, Rs 10,000 each to five other affected families and two TD trees each to help them rebuild their houses. Three BPL families will get assistance under Indira Awas Housing Scheme. A Rs 2 lakh Red Cross assistance given by Governor is being given in kind to the fire victims, he added.