Koshi flood victims not yet compensated

BY RENU KSHETRY

KATHMANDU, Nov 5 - Although Saptakoshi flood victims have intensified their protests demanding fulfilment of their various demands, including rehabilitation and compensation, no progress has been made on the issue. More than two months have passed since the river breached its spurs and triggered diversions, causing ...

"The patience of flood victims who have been taking shelter in temporary camps is running out and we have intensified our protests for the fulfilment of the 11-point demand," Bhuwaneshwor Yadav, member of Koshi Flood Victim Struggle Committee told the Post. "The government has turned a deaf ear to our demands. We are left with no choice but to take to the streets.

The floods have displaced 63,000 people of 7,000 families from nine VDCs in Sunsari district, according to the Home Ministry.

At present, there are about 32,000 people living in government-run camps in Sunsari district; and 31,000 in Saptari district, according to the Home Ministry.

The committee has announced a week-long protest programme including a district headquarters banda for three days, starting Wednesday.

Yadav warned that victims would take "further steps" if the government paid no heed to their demands. "The government will have to bear the consequences," said Yadav.

Under Secretary at the Home Ministry Thir Bahadur GC said that relief efforts have been stepped up drastically from the government side. "For the proper management of settlements, the government is looking for spare land for flood victim accommodation."GC added, "The Asian Development Bank team paid a visit on Nov. 1 to assess the damage caused by floods and the team had left for Dhangadi yesterday to study floods in the Far West.

The Indian government had announced a grant of Indian Rs. 200 million for flood relief when Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal visited New Delhi in September. The Indian government had also said it would rebuild the segments of the East-West Highway damaged by the recent Koshi flood.

Shyamananda Suman, advisor to Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav, said, "The demands of the Koshi flood victims are genuine and the government is making all necessary efforts to speed up the process to provide compensation for damage caused by  the floods.

Suman said, the Indian government was positive about supporting flood victims and high level technical experts were working to assess the devastation caused by the Saptakoshi.

Acknowledging that there has been some delay in providing compensation, Suman said that the Foreign Ministry was doing its best to speed up the process.

According to the Nepal-India Koshi Treaty of 1954, it is the Indian government's responsibility to compensate for damage caused by the Saptakoshi.

Gopal Bagley, spokesman at the Indian Embassy, said the Indian government has "followed up on the understanding reached at the highest

political level between the two countries during the prime minister's visit to India.