People affected by Cyclone Fani thronged offices of the Odisha Lokayukta here and the Puri District Collector on Monday alleging that they were yet to receive house building assistance even after six months. More than 100 people submitted separate applications to the Lokayukta seeking its intervention to include needy villagers in the government’s beneficiary list.
“Six months after the cyclone damaged my house, I have received only ₹5,200. With this fund, I cannot build a robust concrete house. There has been irregularity in selection of beneficiaries for house building assistance,” alleged Sudarshan Jena of Hantuka village of Puri Sadar block here at Lokayukta office.
Sanjay Pradhan of Kotakana village of Puri Sadar block had a similar complain. “My name was there in the government survey report. But till now, I have not received any amount,” said Mr. Pradhan.
Several villagers also reached the office of the Puri Collector to air their grievances.
They alleged that they were being deprived of assistance on grounds of political affiliation.
A delegation of BJP led by spokesperson Sambit Patra too met district collector Balwant Singh and alleged political biasness in handling post-cyclone rehabilitation process.
“We had taken utmost care in selection of beneficiaries for house building assistance. If anyone claims that he or she is left out in the list, we are ready to make fresh assessment on individual basis,” said Mr Singh.
