Snail-paced relief, ministers’ absence infuriate many in Cyclone Michaung-whipped Andhra Pradesh

“The biggest roadblock is the lack of interest by political leaders and ministers,” CPI(M) leader Ch Babu Rao told South First, echoing the widespread public criticism as most state ministers were hardly available in the cyclone-hit areas.

Related: At least 6 civilians, 1 cop dead in Andhra Pradesh

Missing ministers

On 5 December, as the cyclone wreaked havoc, Minister KV Ushashri Charan attended a political campaign in Anantapur. Another minister in charge of Home and Disaster Management Taneti Vanitha was also not seen in the worst-affected areas.

వైయస్‌ఆర్‌సీపీ సామాజిక సాధికార బస్సు యాత్రకు అనంతపురం జిల్లా రాయదుర్గం నియోజకవర్గం ప్ర‌జ‌లు పెద్ద ఎత్తున త‌ర‌లివ‌చ్చి జగనన్న ప్రభుత్వానికి మద్దతు తెలిపారు. ఈ సంద‌ర్భంగా సీఎం @ysjagan గారు నాలుగున్నరేళ్లలో చేసిన మంచిని వైయస్‌ఆర్‌సీపీ నాయ‌కులు ప్ర‌జ‌ల‌కు వివరించారు.… pic.twitter.com/ciBIqjXctj

— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) December 5, 2023

“No one from the 25-member Cabinet was seen on the ground, except for a few ministers from the flood-affected areas, who went for photo-ops,” Barath Vasireddy, a resident of the flood-affected Nellore, told South First.

“Electricity was restored only yesterday, and apart from the department officials, no public representative has bothered to visit us,” he added.

Human Rights Forum General Secretary Y Rajesh told South First that ministers’ presence in the affected areas could accelerate relief works during disasters.

The ruling YSRCP refuted the allegations and said ministers were assigned to the affected areas.

However, critics argued that the tradition of ministers reviewing the functioning of departments in districts was discontinued after YSRCP came to power.

Senior Journalist Sharma told South First that ministers rarely appeared outside their constituencies or for review programmes, in violation of the oath they had taken while being sworn-in.

“They conduct reviews only in their districts. The ministers are expected to review the functioning of their departments in the entire state,” he added.

The state has not commenced estimating the damage caused by the cyclone.

Related: Tenant farmers stare at uncertain future

Damage yet to be assessed

The government has announced ₹2,500 each for the affected 72,000 families, besides promising to procure crops. However, Rajesh of the Human Rights Forum said there were concerns about the government’s promise to buy paddy, as millers were uncertain about payments.

“Moreover, even if compensation is received, it often goes only to landlords, and not the tenant farmers. There’s a structural gap in assisting them, but no government addresses it,” he added.

Further, CPI(M)’s Rao questioned the YSRCP government’s delay in assessing the impact of the cyclone. He also criticised the delay in initiating relief efforts.

“The residents of Gandhiji Girijana colony in Nellore, who were relocated to the municipal school, are now being asked by the school authorities to leave. Their houses are still flooded. Has any minister visited them?” he questioned.

“I was informed that the assessment of the cyclone’s impact will occur after the water recedes. However, once the water has receded, what damage will they assess, and when will they submit a report?” he wondered.

“The YSRCP claims to have the best structure, with one volunteer assigned for every 50 houses, a revamped village system, and advanced machinery. Why have they not been able to initiate relief efforts?” he added.