Fani-hit Residents in Puri Fume Over Irregularities, Delay In Compensation

Puri: Six months after being hit by severe cyclonic storm Fani, hundreds of residents in Puri district on Monday gathered on the premises of collector's office alleging irregularities and delay in release of compensation.

The residents alleged although they had suffered heavy damage during the cyclone, their names have been excluded from the beneficiary list.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra along with MLAs of Puri, Brahmagiri and Satyabadi and hundreds of villagers also met the district collector Balwant Singh over the issue.

“The financial assistance has been distributed among people on the basis of party affiliation. Poor people have suffered huge losses and their houses have been damaged. Those who support the ruling-BJD received Rs 95,000 while there are instances where multiple persons from the same family received compensation. On the other hand, poor people and eligible beneficiaries have been left out,” Sambit Patra alleged.

Collector Balwant Singh said, “The severely affected blocks have got maximum compensation while other blocks also received compensation as per the survey. After covering 2.78 lakh families, if people are alleging that they have been left out then we will check and identify who have been left out.”

Responding on the matter, State Revenue and disaster management minister, Sudam Marndi said, “Fani affected people in the State have been provided necessary assistance based on survey. If some needy are left out, they will be compensated under other housing schemes.”