The Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong district administrations will host special “Duare Sarkar” camps in both districts next week to help flood victims start the process of getting vital documents that they lost in the Teesta flash flood last month.
On October 4, the Teesta swelled up due to a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), impacting extensively the Himalayan state of Sikkim and many areas in the hill district of Kalimpong such as Rangpo, Melli, Teesta Bazar, Geilkhola and 29th Mile, and Jalpaiguri villages in 14 panchayats located in four blocks. Among these were panchayats like Kharia, Nandanpur-Boalmari, Paharpur, Mondalghat, Baropatia-Notunbas, Champsdanga, Barnish, Domohoni-I, Bagrakote and Dharmapur. Though people were rescued, most could not save their voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, ration cards, bank passbooks and land documents.
"These apart, many students lost mark sheets. That is why it was decided to hold special camps where they can file applications and get copies of such documents in due course,” said a source in Jalpaiguri district administration.
In Jalpaiguri, camps would be held in the 14 panchayats of Malbazar, Sadar, Mainaguri and Kranti blocks on November 7 and 8.
“There will be police assistance booths in these camps. People who lost their documents can reach the booths and file a general diary. They will then have to apply for the document with a copy of the diary. We will then scrutinise each application. On November 17 and 18, they will get appropriate services so that they can get their documents,” said Shama Parveen, the district magistrate of Jalpaiguri.
A similar initiative would be taken in Kalimpong, said sources. The flash flood here rendered over 500 families homeless and claimed 14 lives. The state has already given compensation to the bereaved kin.
Ration cards
A dozen digital ration cards, apparently belonging to beneficiaries in Bengal, were found discarded in a bush in North Dinajpur's Raiganj on Thursday, prompting a police probe. Morning walkers chanced upon the digital ration cards.
