Team Herald
PANJIM: Even as the government has already begun disbursing compensation amount to the flood-affected families, Goa University (GU) conducted a simultaneous survey at two of the five adopted villages devastated in the rain fury in July.
Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) – a flagship programme of The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the GU team visited the households and conducted a loss assessment survey. The total loss was estimated to be over Rs 22 lakh. On appeal, the varsity’s faculty members raised a contribution of Rs 1.40 lakh to support the affected families among 20 households wherein 10 families were handed over Rs 8000 each; to five families Rs 7000 each; and to another five families Rs 5000 each.
“On July 11, midnight, there was devastation in the village of Cacra in St Cruz and Navshi in Bambolim due to cyclonic like winds. In one case, branches of a huge banyan tree fell on houses in Cacra while in Navshi, the roofs of the houses were damaged. There were injuries as well as huge damage and loss to the property,” Prof Ramrao Wagh, one of the members of the GU UBA team told Herald. “The houses mostly belonging to ST fishermen community need helping hand to repair,” he added.
While the GU managed to distribute around Rs 1.40 lakh from its contribution, the proposal for disbursing remaining amount to other affected families was sent to the government. “We have requested the CM to distribute the amount through CM’s Relief Fund. About 11 families from Nauxi and around 5-6 in Cacra were given financial help by the government,” Wagh added.
The GU UBA team headed by Prof Rajan Gad, Prakash Parienkar, Sundar Dhuri and Wagh has been keeping a watch on the situation in other adopted villages, too. The team has also urged the government to rebuild houses of some of the poor families.
As per the Central scheme UBA, aims to connect higher education institutions (technical and non-technical) with local communities to address the development challenges through appropriate technologies. “GU is also committed to be active on this programme,” he said adding that the programme is being coordinated by IIT, Delhi.
GU is working closely with these villages since the year 2018 with its students and faculty also closely working with the elected members of the various wards to educate the villagers through various hygienic programmes, solid waste management and youth development.
, formation of the Village Development Committee, formation of Biodiversity Committee etc.
