THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The tsunami victims who attended the people's tribunal organised here today criticised the State Government for failing to utilise the funds to rehabilitate the affected families. The former Pro-Vice-Chancellor N.A. Karim who inaugurated the public hearing organised by Voices from the Margins, coalition for victims of tsunami, said that the rehabilitation of the survivors could have been done fairly well had the Government utilised at least 50 per cent of the Rs.300 crores it received for the purpose.

Twenty-eight persons from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry belonging to the fishermen, Dalit and tribal communities narrated their woes during the two-day hearing. They complained about the temporary shelters that were built for them. Women complained about the lack of toilet facilities in the camps at Azheekkal in Kollam district where the tsunami claimed 183 lives.

The tribunal comprises Hosbet Suresh, former Judge of the Mumbai High Court; D. Sreedevi, former Kerala High Court Judge; Mohini Giri, former chairperson of the National Women's Commission; human rights activists; engineers and disaster management experts.

The tribunal was formed in the wake of the tardy progress in the rehabilitation process. Despite liberal contributions and financial commitments made from various quarters, the relief is yet to reach the survivors. The public hearing was held in the wake of information collected by a core group.

Visits conducted

The members of the group conducted a series of visits to the affected areas and gathered information on the relief activities; health and sanitation; care for women and children; education to the children in the affected areas; environmental problems and disaster preparedness.

The group of experts will galvanise public opinion and exert pressure on the Governments and other agencies that are involved in the rehabilitation and reconstruction works, said a press release issued today by the organisers.

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