Second instalment of 28 families held back for want of documents

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Over four years after the deadly Cyclone Phyan hit the Konkan-Goa shores in October 2009, families of 28 fishermen – either missing or dead, have not been able to collect the second instalment of State funds under Relief for Cyclone Phyan Victims Scheme for want of documents. 

Fisheries Department, which is the implementing agency for the scheme, has recorded that 39 kin of missing persons presumed-dead in the cyclonic storm have collected Rs 50,000 while the remaining 28 could not produce relevant documents identifying the victims. 

“The families of 28 victims have not been able to produce documents like birth certificate, ration card or other relevant identification proof to establish identity of the victims. This is the reason the second instalment cannot be released to them yet,” Director Shamila Monteiro told Herald. 

A total of 67 fishermen and crew members – nearly all hailing from Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and other neighbouring states – from all seven jetties across the State lost their lives and in many cases even bodies were not found. 

The then Congress regime had announced Rs one-lakh compensation to each deceased under Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The first instalment of Rs 50,000 was disbursed to the victims through the respective fishermen’s cooperative societies while for the second instalment; the kin of the victims were asked to approach the department with documents confirming identity of the victims. 

However, due to incomplete submissions, the affected families are not entitled for the remaining relief amount. “We have not closed the scheme because there could be some families who could produce identity of victims,” said an official. Last year, four families’ availed the benefit. 

Menino Afonso of Mandovi Fishermen’s Cooperative Society at Malim that lost 38 lives to the cyclone has confirmed that kin of all victims have availed both instalments. 

The government has been releasing Rs 10 lakh under the scheme in its annual budget. Sources said the balance amount is usually sent back to the State exchequer at the end of every financial year before the funds are released afresh for the new FY.