Home Minister Gautam denies discriminating earthquake victims during relief distribution

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bamdev Gautam has said that no one was discriminated while distributing relief materials to earthquake victims. Minister Gautam made such statement at a meeting called by the Public Accounts Committee under the Legislature Parliament following complaints on ineffective and unequal distribution of relief materials. He expressed commitment to take action if found irregularities saying further monitoring was ongoing in relief distributing areas. Home Minister Gautam informed that the government is to introduce Act on disaster management. He stated leaders of major political parties were provided helicopter facility for inspecting earthquake-affected districts. Law makers, in the committee's meeting, have accused the government of failing to effectively distribute relief materials to earthquake victims. Likewise, they have also drawn the government 's attention on providing 35,000 rupees additionally to people who lost their houses as 15,000 rupees distributed to them previously was insufficient. Members of the Committee has urged Minister Gautam to make a secure provision as hilly settlements were at risk after the earthquake. They have even demanded to shift the settlements at risk be it by providing them compensation amount. Also in the meeting, members had criticized Minister Gautam for authorizing police to issue arrest warrant. Drawing government's attention towards increasing misunderstanding among security bodies that can affect the whole nation, the committee has directed the State Management Committee to sort out the same.