PANAJI
The State government estimates its Cyclone Tauktae losses at over Rs 168 crore, but the compensation sanctioned under Goa Disaster Management Fund has only begun to flow as a trickle.
Official sources said the State government has sanctioned just Rs 20.66 lakh to those affected by Cyclone Tauktae through Goa Disaster Management Fund.
Seventy-eight affected in Tiswadi Taluka have been collectively earmarked Rs 4.28 lakh and 23 individuals from Pernem have been allocated Rs 1.09 lakh.
In Sattari, Rs 67,584 will be distributed to 14 affected people and 44 from Bicholim have been sanctioned Rs 88,000.
Most of the beneficiaries of this relief are people who have suffered damage and losses to their dwelling houses. Salcete had 50 individuals affected and they have been sanctioned Rs 2.71 lakh collectively.
People, particularly farming and fishing communities, in coastal parts of the State had suffered loss of livelihoods besides physical damage to land and edifice holdings. Although revenue officials have gone around assessing the losses, the State government has shown no clarity on compensation for them.
Meanwhile, Rs 4-lakh has been announced as ex-gratia compensation to families of the three persons who died during the cyclone.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s administration had come in for severe criticism over its shoddy handling of Cyclone Tauktae both from political opponents as well as some from his own party including Ports Minister Michael Lobo.
Several parts were without electricity and internet coverage even four days after the cyclone had moved northward past Goa.
