PFOE recommends formation of advisory to oversee rehabilitation

GANGTOK, 01 Sept: Raising concerns over the possible “corruption, waste, and mismanagement” of the relief fund which would undermine the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, the newly formed Peoples’ Forum On Earthquake [PFOE] organized a meeting of its members to address these concerns directly, informs a press release.
The huge amount of money involved, the urgent need for speedy assistance, and the difficult conditions in the affected areas may have contributed to widespread fears of potential diversion of aid resources away from those in need, the release states.
The release also expresses appreciation of the relief efforts of the Government and Non-Government agencies, underlining that “the other enormous challenge facing the people in Sikkim and those trying to help them is ensuring everyone has at least basic shelter as the winter season intensifies in November”.
The meeting brought together representatives of non-government organizations, civil society to identify concrete measures to curb corruption in the post earthquake relief and reconstruction activities.
The meeting discussed the need for aid assessments and evaluations to take into account effective disbursement and the need for proper planning and execution.
The Govt. agencies must not rush into “quick-fix rebuilding” of permanent homes, schools and other buildings. If necessary, rebuilding should be delayed to leave time for proper planning, competitive bidding so that reconstruction leaves the Sikkimese people better protected from earthquakes than they were before the Sunday earthquake, the group agreed.
A state-level advisory committee by the Governor consisting of eminent public persons, NGO and political party representatives for monitoring financial aid flow, various rescue and rehabilitation programs should be instituted, the group recommends.
National commissions for minorities, socially weaker groups of society, and women and Scheduled Tribes/ Scheduled Castes should also be involved in the implementation and review of reconstruction projects, the release states, adding that impact assessment studies should be conducted to provide for real-time feedback by the affected people.
Publishing lists of aid figures on websites is not enough, the group believes, since access to computers and internet is likely to be particularly difficult in post-disaster situations, hence information must be communicated in ways that will reach affected communities, the release informs.
The meeting recommended the setting up of round-the-clock information centers from district offices to the block level to dispense information on all activities of the rehabilitation plan and its implementation.
The group has also sought the establishment of an effective complaint mechanism to ensure the effectiveness of anti-corruption enforcement in the wake of the earthquake. Complaint boxes in all the administrative offices of the State need to be installed and a toll-free telephone number offered for citizens to report complaints. The District Judge may be appointed as ‘ombudsman’ in all the district HQs to inquire into any complaint and direct the district administration to follow up if needed, the group recommends.
To oversee financial discipline during the reconstruction procedures, an independent professional accounting system needs to be set up, the group adds, consisting of day-to-day internal as well as statutory and Comptroller & Auditor General of India audit.
The peoples’ feedback received through press help Govt. Aid agencies to integrate these findings into their planning process so the press needs to be provided more freedom in accessing data and need to be briefed about the plan and Govt. initiatives on reconstruction at constant intervals, the group adds.