Supreme Court orders compensation with penalty for Cyclone Fani victims in Puri

The Supreme Court has issued directions for providing compensation to the victims affected by Cyclone Fani in Puri.

Following the identification of the affected beneficiaries, a survey was conducted to assess the damage. As per the Supreme Court’s order, a compensation amount of Rs 95,000, along with an additional Rs 10,000 as a penalty, is to be paid to the affected persons. 

Puri District Collector stated that the compensation would be disbursed to eligible beneficiaries strictly in accordance with the court’s directions. He further reiterated that the compensation would be released only after proper verification of genuine beneficiaries.

As per reports, Cyclone Fani wreaked havoc in Puri district in 2019, causing extensive damage across several areas of the district. Alleging that the then BJD government failed to provide compensation to the affected beneficiaries, residents of Kanhei Bidyadharpur area in Puri district had approached the Supreme Court seeking justice. 

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"Cyclone Fani struck Puri during the tenure of the BJD government. However, due to the incompetence of the then administration, we were denied compensation at that time. Now, the Supreme Court has ruled that we are entitled to compensation, and the government has agreed to provide it," said Lingaraj Sahu, a resident of Kanhei Bidyadharpur.

"A survey was conducted to assess the victims affected by Cyclone Fani, and a list of beneficiaries has been prepared. We will undertake proper planning to ensure that due compensation, along with the additional amount, is provided to them. At the same time, an inquiry is being conducted to ascertain why some affected persons were not given compensation earlier. We are also examining whether they had submitted the required documents at the relevant time. Those who have the necessary documents will definitely be provided compensation as per the prescribed procedure," said Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida.