Hudhud cyclone victims poured out their woes to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who interacted with them through a video conference from here on Wednesday.
The cyclone-hit people from Visakhapatnam and Govindapuram in Vizianagaram and Kosta village in Srikakulam districts, while praising the Chief Minister for his prompt visit to the affected areas, urged the government to come to their rescue in rebuilding lives. They appealed to Mr. Naidu not to collect electricity bills for the current month while fishermen, farmers, poultry and horticulture growers, said they lost out everything and sought help.
Besides seeking compensation for crop loss, they also sought subsidised seeds for alternative crops and special package for fishermen. They also wanted the rules to be relaxed in providing compensation for partially damaged teakwood plantation.
The week-long stay of Mr. Naidu in Visakhaptnam to oversee relief work, restoration of electricity in four days and supply of essential items came in for praise from the people.
Assuring that all help would be extended to them, Mr. Naidu said compensation would be given as early as possible and instructed officials to work out the modalities. He said details of losses would be placed in gram panchayats. “I will ensure that justice is done to all,” the Chief Minister said. He said Rs. 10,000 each would be extended to the affected fishermen. He appealed to philanthropists to build houses for fishermen. For poultry farmers, the government has drawn up a compensation scheme, he said.
Mr. Naidu said he would not rest three-phase power supply was ensured for agriculture.
He said details on property losses would be announced in two days and urged the people to inform him if they notice any lapses or face any problems. He said that 90 per cent of restoration works were completed in Visakhapatnam. He said help poured in from all over the country and assured that the distress of farmers would be fully mitigated.
