Government flooded with Opposition criticism

BHUBANESWAR: The Opposition Congress and the BJP have criticised the State Government for failure to reach the floodaffected people in time.Senior Congress leader Narasingh Mishra alleged that wherever he went people were dissatisfied with the relief and the rescue measures undertaken by the Government .Mishra said though water has started receding at some places, the flood damage was devastating.The former minister said relief materials are yet to reach different places and water is yet to recede completely from Sonepur and Binka towns.There is no electricity and kerosene, he said and added that the situation is still very grim.Mishra alleged that the administrations were not alert to tackle the situation fully and there was no mobility of officials entrusted with relief work.It seems that the situation had gone beyond the capacity of the State Government, he quipped.Balangir district was affected by a severe drought, Mishra said and added whatever hope there was of a moderate crop has been dashed by the flood.Leader of the BJP Legislature Party KV Singhdeo said there was need for more relief for the flood-affected people.He said based on the report of the sub-divisional officer (SDO), BDO and tahasildar, tarpaulins have been provided to the affected.But officials responsible for relief measures are not staying in the affected areas, he said.