Naveen not receptive to flood-hit: BJP

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Wednesday criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for lack of sympathy for the flood-affected people.“The Chief Minister made a mockery of his visit to the flood-ravaged areas when he refused to meet the affected people at Gop on Tuesday,” remarked senior BJP leader and former minister BB Harichandan.Objecting to the high security during the Chief Minister’s visit to the flood-affected areas, the BJP leader said it is the only time when people air their grievances and point out the shortcomings of the administration in the delivery of relief and other assistance of the Government. It seems the Chief Minister is scared of meeting the flood-hit, Harichandan added.The BJP leader accused the Government of foisting a flood on the State. Alleging that the current flood  was ‘man-made’, he slammed the Government for its failure in rescue and relief operation.Shortage of relief materials, including polythene, was a sign of the Government’s lack of preparedness to meet the eventuality. People of low-lying and flood areas spent nights exposed to elements in the absence of polythene, he said.Harichandan urged the Government to provide housing assistance to the families who have lost their dwellings and crop compensation to the farmers without delay.