Chandigarh, July 9, 2013: Following flash floods in Uttarakhand on June 16, people from all over Chandigarh had come forward to help the victims by contributing in cash and kind. Much to the chagrin of the victims, sacks of relief material were on Monday found rotting at the Red Cross Society office in Karuna Sadan, Sector 11.

The relief material was bought after around Rs 6 lakh was collected by the Hindu Parv Mahasabha — an association of temples in the city. On June 19, medicines, mineral water, tea and food items were handed over to the deputy commissioner's office, following which, the association was told that it has been dispatched to Uttarakhand. However, that was not the case.

Kamlesh Suri, general secretary of Hindu Parv Mahasabha was initially told by the DC office that the information was incorrect and the material has been dispatched. Subsequently, the association was told that there was no need for the material, and hence, it was not sent.

Asked why relief material was not sent to Uttarakhand, Chandigarh Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Shayin said: "There was no need for it, as there is enough relief material in the affected areas. We are sending such materials every three to four days when asked." He also denied claims that the relief material has been lying at Karuna Sadan since June19.

After being questioned, Shayin rushed to the Red Cross office at Karuna Sadan in the evening and got the material removed from there. When the representatives of Hindu Parv Mahasabha confronted the officials, they were told that the material was being dispatched to Uttarakhand.

Speaking to Newsline, working president of Chandigarh unit of VHP, Vijay Singh Bhardwaj, said: "If we had managed to collect material worth lakhs of rupees, we could have also made arrangements for its transportation. But leaving the material to rot when people need help is totally unacceptable."

Source: The Indian Express, DT. July 9, 2013.