3 years on, flood-hit Kalimath priests await relief

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 1

Priests at Kalimath in Rudraprayag district have accused the state government of being partial in granting compensation to priests of the disaster-affected temples in the region.

The flash floods that hit the region in 2013 had damaged several shrines, including that of Kedarnath and Kalimath. The priests of Kalimath said that the state government didn’t give them any relief but gave compensation to Kedarnath priests after the natural calamity for staying out of work for at least one year. “We are still waiting for the compensation even three years after the disaster,” they said.

Priest Mitra Nand Bhat said the Kalimath temple suffered a lot of damage during the disaster of 2013. “The incident rendered us without livelihood for more than a year. The priests of Kedarnath have been given Rs 1 lakh each as compensation for the loss of livelihood during the disaster. The condition of the Kalimath priests was also the same so they should be given compensation at the earliest,” he said.

Another priest Sanjay Bhatt said Chief Minister Harish Rawat visited Kalimath last year and announced Rs 1 lakh as compensation for the priests of the shrine. “But we have not got even a single penny. If our demands are not met, we will question such politicians whenever they come to seek votes for the next Assembly elections,” he added.

Ukhimath SDM Uttam Singh Chauhan said he had received orders for granting compensation to the priests of Kedarnath but not for those of Kalimath.

It is worth mentioning here that people in large numbers from across the country visit the Kalimath temple every year. Those visiting Kedarnath mostly visit this shrine as well. In June 2013, the flooded Saraswati river had left the temple damaged. The footbridge, an important link connecting the devotees with the temple, was washed away, making it difficult for devotees to visit the temple. The priests of the temple, who earn livelihood through offerings, had no option but to wait for the temple to be restored.