MARGAO
The government and the opposition seem to have locked horns over the award of immediate compensation to the marooned people hit by the devastating floods in the state’s hinterland in the last two days.
Even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday told the media in Cuncolim that the government will disburse cheques to the affected people within 15 days, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat demanded that the government immediately give compensation to all the affected people with one month quota of essential commodities.
The Chief Minister pointed out that he has been on the field and the MLA was also on the ground to monitor the rescue and relief operation. “The government will look after the people taking shelter in the rescue and rehabilitation camp”, he said.
The Chief Minister, however, said that the compensation and monetary benefit will be disbursed to the affected people by way of cheques within 15 days.
The Opposition Congress, however, demanded immediate cash compensation to the victims.
“The devastating floods have caused severe damage to hundreds of houses. People in Savordem, Sattari, Bicholim, Valpoi, Marcel, Honda, Savoi Verem and other parts of Goa have suffered huge losses. Government must immediately give cash compensation to all the affected people with one month quota of essential commodities”, demanded Kamat.
A Congress Team comprising of CLP Leader Digambar Kamat, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Youth Congress President Varad Mardolkar and other functionaries today toured flood affected areas in Savordem Constituency and extended help to the residents with essential commodities, water and other items.
Kamat said that Government should not wait for survey reports and other formalities to get completed to release the compensation. “People have nothing in hand, even their clothes, utensils are washed away. During Canacona floods my government gave instant cash to all those affected. It is the duty of the government to help people in distress”, he added.
GPCC President Girish Chodankar demanded that BJP Government must immediately provide relief to all the flood affected people. He said he directly visited villages in Sattari taluka along with Youth Congress members after arriving from Delhi on Friday and tried to help the people with a helping hand. He informed that Youth Congress will continue with its mission of helping needy.
