The affected locals recall how they were promised full compensation but were only given peanuts for their losses.
On July 2, 2013, locals claim that it was a ‘man-made ‘disaster that took place at Sanvorcotto in Cuncolim and they have held the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) responsible. The locals accused the GSIDC officials of gross negligence and said the entire episode was due to the badly designed and ill-planned construction of a pipe culvert over the rivulet without the use of precautionary measures.
Locals further pointed out that the culvert was erected as a temporary structure to allow the demolition and reconstruction of the old bridge in Sanvorcotto at that time. They also noted that it was well known that the rivulets get flooded during the monsoon and the channel has to be free of obstacles for the free flow of water.
Locals were further upset given the extent of damage they had to personally suffer even though they had warned the government of the possibility of floods.
On this account, the locals feel that they should have been compensated fully and their bone of contention was that their families were given such promises of full compensation by the local MLA, chief minister and other government heads who had visited the area after the floods. Most of the families had filed for compensation ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Furthermore, the families were also promised by the local MLA that GSIDC would rebuild the damaged compound walls. It is to be noted that days after the floods that occurred on July 22, 2013, the PWD carried out an inspection of damaged walls in the area due to the floods.
“About 130 Families have lost their food grains, clothes, household wares and kitchen items and heavy electronic gadgets and equipment, “said a local resident.
Many of these families are from an OBC background and are not in a financial position to carry out these repairs themselves.
The lack of uniformity made matters worse as some families got three thousand rupees only as compensation while very few got Rs 7000.
“There were big cracks on the wall of my house and the estimated losses were over Rs 30,00 and this was conveyed to the government but we only got Rs 3,000 “ said S Naik while adding that the compensation was unfair.
“I can still remember July 2 as it was a day of horror for Sanvorcotto people and the fear and trauma people went through. All the government officers, MLAs, MPS, ministers and many political leaders made big promises about fair compensation but my wall which got cracks due to the floods is not still repaired” said J Fernandes.
Authorities at the South Goa District Collectorate and Mamlatdar, when contacted by Herald pointed out that they could only act as per the guidelines and rules laid down by the government. They said that according to the compensation policy for natural calamities, there was no provision for compensation for compound walls or house repair or damage to electronic gadgets. They added that the talathi is only allowed to report damages caused to food items, utensils and clothes for compensation.
