Kurnool, October 05: Greed apparently blinds people to the misery of others.
That, at any rate, is the conclusion to be drawn from the sordid behaviour of dinghy (putti) rowers in the Old Town area here who are charging up to Rs 1,000 per person. With flood waters receding in the area, those trapped on the first and second floors of their homes are desperate to get out but the rowers hired by the government to ferry the victims free of cost are taking on only those willing to pay — whether in cash or in kind. “We paid a whopping Rs 15,000,” said 65-year-old Seshaiah, who managed to move out with his extended family of 15.
“We all live in the same locality. When the water began rising on October 2, we were caught unawares. All this while we were starving and thirsty, but with no other means of rescue materialising had no choice but to cough up,” he added ruefully. Recalling the nightmare they underwent, Seshaiah said: “Spotting a putti yesterday afternoon we hailed them. It was after protracted bargaining that they agreed to help bring together the scattered members of the joint family at one place.’’ This was accomplished around 6:00 p.m. All the members, including a three-monthold infant were now gathered at one house, but the dinghies were unable to ply further because of “low-lying’’ power lines. “The water was up to our necks but we decided to take a chance and half-waded and half-swam to safety, holding the baby aloft,” said Seshaiah.
On reaching safety, the immediate concern was to find food. And they were fleeced again: Rs 100 for one kg or rice, Rs 20 for two lemons, Rs 100 for a litre of milk and Rs 75 for a kg of sugar.
The entire experience seems to have made Seshaiah a confirmed cynic.
Their plight had been put to full use by callous folks to squeeze out of them every ounce of profit possible.
–Agencies–