Nepal: The onset of winter brings with it its own set of problems,
particularly if the people in question have to make do with living in flimsy
tents exposed to the elements. The people of Gamgadhi in Mugu are
in a similar situation. They have been living in draughty tents after losing
their homes to a massive fire in the area. The government’s absolute disregard
has exacerbated the pain of losing their homes. Although some non-governmental
organisations have provided aid, the people’s representatives seem unresponsive
even two months into the incident.
With night-time temperatures below freezing, the difficulty of
spending months in an uncomfortable environment is evident for all to see,
except for the government. The tragedy of Mugu is not an isolated incident.
Ignoring the people in need of aid seems to be an endemic issue with the
authorities. The people who lost their homes in the Melamchi flood disaster
were meted out with a similar treatment. And in another such incident, the
Phopil landslide victims hadn’t received any financial compensation almost five
years after the incident.
If there is any
inference that can be attached to the indifference shown by the state, the
message is clear for all; do not fall victim to any form of disaster, and if
you do, there is nothing much the authorities can do to alleviate your pain.
The provinces will point towards the centre and vice-versa, and apart from the
usual rhetoric and assurances, the whole incident is quickly forgotten. And
while the victims are made to wait, sometimes for years on end, most of the
relief work usually falls onto the shoulders of ordinary citizens and other
non-governmental benefactors.
The nonchalant
government attitude is utter disrespect to people’s expectations. The least the
people expect from their representatives is a sense of security when things go
downhill. After all, what is that keeps the administration so occupied? The
parliament has been prorogued for
nearly six months now, yet there is little doubt that the parliamentarians have
shunned their pay and perks. If we can afford to pay our representatives for
doing absolutely nothing, surely a tiny sum collected through our taxes can
make it back to us in the form of relief packages when we most need it.
The pandemic has been
a godsend for those in the administration to shrug off responsibilities.
Whether it is the state of our economy or the health sector, shortcomings in
any sector are promptly blamed on the pandemic. Still, the truth of the matter
is that all sectors have been victims of negligence for far too long, and we,
the people, have had to put up with the theatrics of politicians primarily
concerned with holding on to power at any cost. Will the
people hold the authorities accountable for their electoral promises that have
largely gone unfulfilled? Only time will tell.
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