By Our Correspondent in Bhubaneswar, February 12, 2015 :

Even as the Odisha government was praised for handling cyclone Phailin that struck the state in October 2013, the performance audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on disaster management paints a very sorry picture.

The report said the State Disaster Mitigation Authority (SDMA) constituted in October 2010 after a delay of five years of enactment of Disaster Management Act 2005 under the chairmanship of the chief Minister for overseeing activities relating to disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, relief and reconstruction, did not meet till July 2013.

The state government also failed to incorporate disaster management into the development planning process due to non-preparation of State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) till July 2013 as envisaged in the Disaster Management Act 2005. SDMP was, however, prepared in August 2013.

“Though early warning mechanism and communication systems for disaster preparedness were in place, the system was not effective due to inadequate staff and non-functioning of machinery. Relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction measures had gaps as payments of Rs 49.59 lakh were made for rice without actual distribution, relief materials valuing Rs 10.26 crore were issued without acquaintance roll and beneficiary lists, rice got damaged due to improper storing etc. There was delay of six to nine months in providing relief to affected people and dal being basic food, was not distributed in relief operation,” the CAG said.

During cyclone Phailin, the state government could have saved human life through early warning system and administration of evacuation to safer place, more could have been done to save the livestock which is main livelihood of the affected population, the report said.

“Further, the post disaster relief measure and restoration/ reconstruction measures undertaken by the Government were not comprehensive. There were cases of inequitable distribution of relief and short distribution of relief material. Restoration was not adequate due to delay in restoration of power infrastructure, piped water supply system, roads, irrigation canals and Lift Irrigation Projects affecting rabi crops/ agriculture in the affected districts. Besides, input subsidy for loss of crop was not paid and artisans were not adequately compensated for loss of livelihood,” the CAG said.

Stating that there was improper financial management as Rs  29.46 crore sanctioned from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and State Disaster Relief Fund (CRF/ SDRF) towards disaster preparedness in violation of GoI norms, the CAG said utilization certificates [UCs] for Rs 1456.42 crore were pending from executing agencies and collectors against the release of fund of Rs 3455.80 crore during 2007-13.

“Despite retaining the SDRF in interest bearing public accounts during 2011-13, interest thereon was not paid by state government. Monitoring of preparedness, rescue and relief operations by SEC was largely absent as its meetings were limited to approval of projects of various departments and sanction of fund out of SDRF,” the report said.