ZAGREB, 29 December, 2021 - Glina deputy mayor Branka Bakšić Mitić said on Wednesday in Majske Poljane, where President Zoran Milanović visited the six-member Bjelajac family, that nothing had been built following a devastating earthquake a year ago today, other than thanks to private donations.
"But there too things get stuck because of the paperwork," said Bakšić Mitić, who was elected to the post of deputy mayor designated for ethnic Serb representatives.
The Bjelajac family lives in two container offices, she said, adding that the paperwork for the construction of their new house had not arrived yet because of the construction ministry.
The money for the construction has been raised and the project designed, but the family has not received a permit yet because the plot is over 3,000 m2 and should be under 2,000.
Asked about other houses, Bakšić Mitić said nothing had been built, other than over 50 houses thanks to private donations.
She said donations came from the government of the Serbian province of Vojvodina and the Baptist Church, and that the City of Belgrade was building six houses in Majske Poljane, expected to be ready by the end of March, and 34 in Glina.
The state has been reconstructing only chimneys on houses deemed to be safe, while the reconstruction of public buildings has not begun, she said, adding that the infrastructure damage in the Glina area exceeds HRK 300 million.
Glina mayor Ivan Janković said that this town, where President Milanović talked with volunteers today, would mark the earthquake anniversary by lighting candles for the five Glina residents killed in the tremor.
"Glina is a town that lives and has a future, but without the state's support, we won't make it," he added.
