MUZAFFARGARH: A number of flood victims, including women, reached the DCO office on Tuesday with their applications in order to include their names in the new beneficiary list.

Tuesday was the last day for finalising the names of the flood-affected people.

Some women alleged that they were not facilitated under the Punjab government relief programme as the district administration had asked them to file their applications with the DCO office for survey. Mostly flood victims complained that revenue officials had been demanding bribe so they approached the DCO for justice.

Sakina Mai told Dawn that first she was ignored by a patwari in house damage survey and then for crop compensation.

She alleged that Patwari ‘Z’ had called her and demanded Rs10,000 for incorporating her name in the house and crop damage lists. “My case was rejected because I told the patwari that I belong to a poor family and can’t manage the amount.”

She said Tuesday’s was her 10th visit to the DCO office but she failed to get anything.

Talking to this correspondent, DCO Hafiz Shaukat Ali said earlier a team headed by assistant commissioner was suspended, including a tehsildar and a patwari.

Ali said he received complaints against Patwari ‘Z’ and a case would be registered against him.

He said special teams would review new applications and if any person was missed he would be facilitated.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2014