Delays in Flood Relief: Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi Pulls up Chief Secretary, Demands Urgent Action

New Delhi, July 29, 2023: In the wake of the recent floods in Delhi and the subsequent delays in providing relief aid to affected citizens, Revenue Minister Atishi took a strong stand and directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to take immediate action.

Expressing her dismay at the slow pace of relief distribution, Atishi wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary, urging him to deploy all officers over the weekend to ensure that relief aid reaches those in need by Monday.

Atishi conducted a review of the relief distribution status with Principal Secretary of Revenue Ashwini Kumar and other concerned officers. She was shocked to discover that out of the 4,716 families residing in relief camps during the floods, only 197 families had received the ₹10,000 ex gratia relief promised by the Delhi Government.

Despite the Chief Secretary’s order to monitor and assist the District Administration in rescue and relief efforts, the relief aid process remained sluggish. Atishi pointed out that 19 IAS officers, 18 DANICS officers, along with 6 DMs, 6 ADMs, and 1 SDM had failed to process the relief package for the affected families even after 10 days since the cabinet decision.

The situation prompted Atishi to question the efficiency of the officers involved in flood relief and rehabilitation. Each officer was tasked with providing relief to 70 families, but they failed to meet this basic requirement. Atishi expressed deep concern about the performance of these crucial officers in their day-to-day tasks if they couldn’t handle emergency situations with promptness and dedication.

The floods caused extensive damage in several areas, displacing numerous families and leading to losses of property. Water levels reached significant landmarks such as the Red Fort and the busy ITO intersection, exacerbating the need for swift and effective relief aid distribution.

The Revenue Minister demanded a status report from the Chief Secretary by 6 pm on Monday, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the government’s commitment to ensuring timely assistance to the flood-affected citizens.