'Don't underestimate efforts of jawans in Uttarakhand'

Rejecting criticism of tardy relief operations in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said government was making all efforts and complimented armed forces personnel for their untiring efforts in rescuing the stranded people.

"We cannot prevent a natural calamity. However, after the calamity we are working round-the-clock in rescue and relief operations...the jawans are working hard under difficult conditions....it is not like sitting in air-conditioned room and writing for newspapers," the finance minister said.

Apparently referring to reports that the lack of coordination was hampering relief operations in the disaster hit regions of Uttarakhand, he asked the media not to underestimate the efforts of jawans. He was speaking after dedicating to the nation the 4th Reserve Battalion of Central Industrial Security Force campus in Amaravathipudur near Karaikudi in his Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday evening.

Noting that personnel of the navy, Indian Air Force, army and paramilitary forces including the Indo-Tibet Border Police, were engaged in the relief work, he said, "We are working to rescue all the people stranded there."

 Chidambaram, who was instrumental in setting up the Central Industrial Security Force campus as the home minister earlier, urged the Tamil Nadu government to utilise the services of the 4th battalion. He thanked the state government for all the help extended by it in setting up the battalion at Amaravathipudur.

 Noting that communal harmony and economic growth were the twin main policies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, he expressed hope that the CISF battallion would develop the area.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who was also present, said Amaravathypudur was an ideal location for meeting the requirements of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu. He said the campus had solar-powered equipment which would be introduced in other campuses also.

The 100-acre campus has facilities to house 1,000 personnel of the paramilitary force and equipped with training infrastructure for the CISF, which is providing security to 308 vital installations.

Image: Soldiers rescue stranded people after heavy rains in Uttarakhand ' Photograph: Reuters