Political slant in relief operations!

Nothing can be more unkind than politically biased handling of a crisis that called for national interest to be placed above any party, group or individual angle. The affected people do not have a political hue, nor is it a crime on their part to have an opposition MP from their constituency.

This is not the first time that such charges are being levelled against any government relief operation. We heard similar things in the past also. And when this year's floods were taking a critical turn, an AL lawmaker high in the party hierarchy complained that his political identity was being taken into account while allocating relief goods for his constituency. It is a matter of great regret that even the sufferings of people have failed to sensitise decision-makers to the need for having a fair relief assessment and distribution policy.

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Equally worrying is the report that certain bungling is going on with the 'partially damaged' homes and other structures. If we go by press reports, only the workers and adherents of the ruling party seem to have been listed as owners of those homes. These are no small things, mind you; for, they can ruin rehabilitation efforts down the line.

Relief operations are not to be treated as a possible way of gaining mileage over political adversaries. We urge the prime minister to intervene and take such steps as will give the endeavour for helping the people in distress a truly humane face. The best option would be to have broad-based committees to oversee relief operations.