Cyclone Fani victims up in arms over lapses in loss assessment survey

Khurda/Cuttack: Alleging lack of government assistance owing to irregularities, hundreds of cyclone Fani victims staged demonstrations in Khurda and Cuttack districts today.

Alleging irregularities during survey of damages in the aftermath of cyclone Fani, residents of Khurda gheraoed the district collector's office today. The protestors, mostly women, alleged that they are deprived of relief materials as they have not been included in the list of Fani-affected people despite losing houses and other valuables during the cyclone.

"Our houses have been destroyed completely in the cyclone. The RI had come and took stock of the situation, but we don't know how our names were omitted from the list. Derogatory remarks were made at us when we approached the Tehsildar. We don't know where we will take shelter as the rainy season is approaching," said Salama Ruksan, a protestor.

"Though we lost our houses during the cyclone, we are yet to get any government help as no proper survey was conducted in our village," said another Fani- affected resident, Lilabati Rath.

In Cuttack, people of four Fani-affected panchayats staged a sit-in in front of the office of the Kissanagar Tehsildar alleging lapses in damage assessment report of the local administration. They claimed that some ineligible beneficiaries have received government support, while eligible ones have been left out.

When asked about the allegations, Kissanagar Tehsildar, Sucheta Mohapatra, said that a proper inquiry will be conducted and help will be provided to the eligible beneficiaries. "We distributed tarpaulin to the affected people after conducting a proper assessment. All the eligible beneficiaries will get government assistance," the Tehsildar assured.