Karachi: Leader of Opposition in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh here Tuesday sought details of the measures taken by the federal and provincial governments of Sindh during Sindh flood rescue, relief and rehabilitation operation.
In a letter sent to Sindh chief secretary, he said that being Leader of the Opposition Provincial Assembly of Sindh it is my responsibility to raise the public issues accordingly. “I am worried about the fair distribution of foreign and domestic aid which was provided for flood victims of Sindh.”
He said as Sindh government claimed that they distributed 494357 (four lacs ninety four thousands three hundred fifty seven) ration bags, 222584 (Two lacs twenty two thousands, five hundred eighty four) tents, 1852298 (Eighteen lacs fifty two thousands two hundred ninety eight) mosquito nets, 202825 (two lacs two thousands eight hundred twenty five) plastic tarpaulins, 10157 (Ten thousands one hundred fifty seven) cattle mosquito nets, 33335 )Thirty three thousands three hundred thirty give) jerry cans, 25375 (Twenty five thousands three hundred seventy five) kitchen sets, 406436 (four lacs six thousands four hundred thirty six) liters of mineral water, 3500 (three thousands five hundred ) first aid kits, 1900 (one thousand nine hundred) school tents and other goods among the flood victims; however, it is not known that in which flood victims and area these goods were distributed accordingly, no such record has been provided publicly at PDMA or NDMA website.
Haleem said that as I am the leader of the Opposition in Sindh, I am concerned about the validity of the figures provided by the Sindh Government. I want to know that how many families of flood victims were benefited by the relief. Full details of distribution of goods Taluka wise should be provided to me.
He said that the Sindh Government has further claimed in a statement that 180 bridges, 1642 culverts and 2125 causeways were damaged by heavy rains and floods in Sindh. So far 646 precious lives have been lost and 8321 people were injured. Assets of the flood victims such as houses, and livestock have also been damaged. 200,317 cattle have died, a total of 1,598,090 houses have been affected, of which 500,249 have completely collapsed, while 1,077,210 houses have been partially damaged. Details of steps taken, if any, to restore the collapsed houses or any compensation given to the injured or the family deceased should be provided in detail.
Haleem said that Sindh finance department released Rs7 billion for 23 districts of Sindh, but no one knows where this amount was spent. Details of the use of this fund should be provided.
He said since advance warning of climate change was given to the higher authorities of Sindh Government. The people of Sindh demand to know that how many responsible were sent behind bars for such negligence and mismanagement?
He said when the whole world knew about the climate change why Sindh government stayed in deep slumber, why Sindh Government did not take any precaution measurements, if any precaution measures were taken by the Sindh Government, then details should be provided to the undersigned.
He said that epidemic diseases such as dengue are spreading fast in flood affected areas and snake bite patients are being rushed to government hospitals where no facilities are available for the treatment of these patients. On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm over an impending “second disaster” of disease and death as concerns grow over the spread of water-borne diseases among the flood-hit people in Sindh. Details of any precautionary measures Sindh Government is taking in this regard should be provided.
Haleem said that Sindh irrigation department spent billions of rupees during the last 14 years for de-silting, strengthening of embankments of canals, Sim nalas, lakes, etc. In spite of this, the canals, saline water drains, lakes were breached, due to which many small and big cities of Sindh have been submerged by flood water.
He said that the people of Sindh wanted to know that how many departmental actions were taken against the irrigation officers for such negligence and mismanagement. Details should be provided that how much budget has been spent by irrigation department in last 14 years for de-silting, strengthening of embankments of canals, saline water drains, and lakes.
Haleem said that the Manchhar Lake breaches have submerged many towns and villages. The people demand to know why Sindh Government did not take precautionary measures to clean the natural ways of the water flow.
Since you are the Chief Secretary of Sindh and the representative of Federal Government. We ask you in detail what has been the performance of the Sindh and federal government during the floods in Sindh.
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