the goan I network
PANAJI
The State government will finally begin distributing compensation cheques to over 550 beneficiaries whose homes and properties were damaged in the recent floods due to heavy rains from Tuesday.
However, disbursal of compensation to agriculturists who faced massive losses may be delayed further.
The compensation will be paid through the State government’s Revenue Department and each of those who faced partial damage to their homes will be compensated around Rs 10,000 while 12 families whose houses were fully damaged are to be paid Rs one-lakh.
Around 553 houses which were damaged by the floods have been identified and a total of Rs 50.7 lakh will be distributed over the next few days starting from Tuesday, Revenue Department
sources said.
Money from the State Disaster Management Fund will be utilized.
Each of the affected families will be paid around Rs 9169 from the DMF and an additional amount from the State Relief Fund.
In the case of two families who lost a member due to electrification, a compensation package of Rs 4 lakh has been approved and will be paid from the State Releaf Fund. An additional Rs one-lakh will also be paid to both the families through the Goa State Disaster Management Fund.
Sawant said, programmes to distribute cheques to the affected people in Colvale, Pernem and Bicholim will be held on Tuesday while in Ponda and Quepem the cheques will be distributed on Wednesday by Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar.
In the case of a dozen other homes identified by the State administration as being fully damaged, the State government will pay a total of Rs 1.1 lakh, through both the Goa State Disaster Management Fund and the Disaster
Relief Fund.
PADDY FARMERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT
PANAJI: Goa’s farming community, particularly paddy farmers, who suffered extensive damage with their fields submerged in flood waters for almost a fortnight in July-August, the wait for government compensation will be further prolonged.
The agriculture department is yet to finalise its assessment of the losses faced by farmers, although district officials had initially pegged the preliminary estimate at Rs 10 crore in North Goa alone.
Will pursue demand for central aid: CM
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday told media that his government will pursue getting financial support from the Centre to overcome the losses caused by the floods.
On a recent visit to Goa, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured that Centre would send its teams to the various flood affected States.
However, the Centre skipped Goa and sent teams to all other affected States in the Western and Southern region over the weekend, to which Sawant said his govt will keep communicating with the Union Home Ministry and pursue its demand for a compensation package. A minimum of Rs 10,000 will be paid to families which will cost the govt up to Rs 1.5 cr, he added.
