By Our Reporter
When one leader after another has been touring the quake-hit Jajarkot and Rukum West, the distribution of relief materials and rehabilitation of the quake victims have been affected.
Since the 6.4 magnitude jolted the two hilly districts of Karnali Province on Friday night, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal reached there in an Army helicopter on Saturday morning.
Since then almost all ministers flew to the two districts compelling the local administration to spend more energy to manage the convoy of the VVIPs, not to talk about the expenses incurred for the unnecessary visits of the VVIPs.
On Tuesday, President Paudel toured the devastated districts assuring the victims that he would instruct the government to manage relief and other support to them. The visit of the ceremonial President to the quake-hit areas only added a burden to the local administration and the national coffer.
Earlier, both Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers flew to the affected areas. Deputy Prime Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka, who has been in the area for days, was also seen with President Paudel on Tuesday.
When the Ministers continue to tour the quake-hit areas, the two districts have emerged as destinations for disaster tourism rather than a devastated region. Many of the victims have been living in the open braving the cold season and hunger as the relief materials have been insufficient.
Was it necessary for the ministers to tour the area affecting the rescue and relief works? Absolutely no. But the quake provided an opportunity for the jobless and incompetent ministers to show that they are with the people by visiting them and giving false assurances.
The victims of Bheri Municipality-3, where 13 persons were killed by the quake, said that they had not received any aid to date as reported by The Rising Nepal, the official English Daily.
This news report itself enough to show the ground reality when the newspapers and online portals are full of photographs of VVIPs touring through the debris.
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