Controversies may rage as strong as the deluge-fed Himalayan torrents over the “larger issues” that contributed to the devastation in Uttarakhand. But there is unquestioned acceptance of what passes as the local administration having simply collapsed ― and the “unprecedented” nature of the downpour is a poor alibi.

A common theme runs through the lament of the suffering: had it not been for India’s military and paramilitary there would have been virtually no rescue action. The district authorities had neither the determination nor the means to handle a situation of much lesser proportions.

This is a collective shame on the governments of varying political composition of the young state, indeed of the Uttar Pradesh government of the previous era. For a state that derives a considerable share of its income from temple tourism and other visitors there is something callous about the way the victims were left to fend for themselves, exploited even to the extent of being mugged, or worse.

The hill roads and bridges were in a poor state of maintenance, no upgrades despite the massive increase in traffic after less-than-legally constructed accommodation was made available to pilgrims whose belief that their faith was protection was cruelly shattered. Incompetent officials and self-serving politicians have proved a lethal blend.

Sadly, the malaise is not Uttarakhand-specific. Almost every center of pilgrimage ― and regardless of religion or denomination India has such centers in abundance ― has reported a tragedy in recent years: it makes little difference if what triggered the calamity was a natural force or human mismanagement. The quality of the local administration has been corroded over the years.

Increasing responsibilities are thrust on an antiquated “machinery” that has not been overhauled since the colonial era, let alone upgraded or modernized. Politicians and top-heavy secretariats draw up several new “schemes” each year to “sell” to the people in return for their votes without putting a delivery system in place.

Will the National Disaster Management Agency honestly assess what degree of difference it has made to equipping and training local officials in relief and rescue duties ― after all it is the Collector and Tehsildar, or whatever they are locally designated, who are the “first line of defence.”

A parallel could well be drawn to the creation of “hubs” of the specialized National Security Guard when cops with lathis and antiquated revolvers first face terrorists. The “system” simply does not ensure that efficacy trickles down.

Quite simply, a bottom-feeding Indian bureaucracy creates organizations only to keep itself engaged and with no desire to do good. More organizations means more taxpayers’ money to burn with little of substance to show in return. This is the tragedy of modern India.

(The Statesman)

(Asia News Network)