All levels of elected representatives of the people will be failing in their duty if they don’t continuously monitor the ground situation in their areas, escalate problems to higher authorities, and take steps to prevent losses in natural calamities and other disasters, points out N.S. Venkataraman
After torrential and uninterrupted rain for a few days, on 30th July 2024, huge landslides hit Wayanad in Kerala, resulting in sludge and water flooding several areas and entering homes in the wee hours, sweeping away many who were asleep, unaware of the imminent danger. Over 300 people have been confirmed dead, many were injured, and several are still missing.
The disaster shocked the nation, and caused concerned citizens to wonder whether it could have been prevented and, if so, who was responsible for not taking precautionary steps. A blame game is in progress. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament that the state government had been warned of the high possibility of torrential rains and consequent landslides two days in advance, but no preventive measures were taken.
It is said that deforestation of the region for cultivating plantation crops, and construction of several resorts and huge buildings in violation of rules and regulations, in the name of promoting tourism, were responsible for the calamity. These could indeed have led to the natural disaster, but it is also obvious that the concerned state minister and government officials did not take adequate precautionary steps as a matter of priority.
The question that arises is, ‘What is the responsibility of the elected representatives of the people – the MPs, MLAs and members of the local municipality / panchayat?’ In a democratic society, it is expected that these elected representatives closely monitor the issues and shortcomings in the areas that they represent and bring them to the notice of the government at various levels. But it is often pointed out that most elected representatives do not visit their constituencies as frequently as they should, and their actions are often guided by the need to protect the interests of the parties to which they belong.
In the case of Wayanad, the concerned minister and officials should be made accountable for not taking adequate precautionary measures. Elected representatives are paid a monthly salary and provided several perquisites. They are certainly not doing free service. Unfortunately, the responsibilities of elected representatives have not been adequately defined. It is a mockery of democracy that these representatives of the people visit scenes of disasters only after the event, and the only purpose that is served is getting them photo opportunities.
This situation is not limited to Wayanad. For example, three students recently lost their lives in Delhi when flood waters entered the basement of a tuition centre, trapping them. Some steps were subsequently taken to inspect such tuition centres in the wake of public protests. Why were the elected local councillor, MLA and MP not aware of the impending disaster? Why did they not take any steps to prevent it by making representations to the authorities?
Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, more than 80 poor people lost their lives after consuming illicit liquor not long ago. The state government immediately suspended some officials, paid compensation to the families of the deceased, and considered its duty done. But obviously, the elected representatives of the people had not monitored the conditions in the area. Had they done so, they would have known about the illicit liquor trade and prevented the tragedy.
Stories of preventable disasters in India are endless, leading to the conclusion that the elected representatives of the people are failing in their responsibilities, and remain indifferent to local issues.
(The writer is managing trustee, Nandini Voice for the Deprived. He is a chemical engineer and lives in Chennai.)
from Webdoux