The Shiv Sena on Monday blamed the state government for the damage caused to lives and property in the Konkan after Cyclone Phyan hit the coastal areas last week.
“It was the duty of the government to inform fishermen about the cyclone earlier,” Subhash Desai, leader of the Sena in the assembly, said. He was speaking after a visit to the cyclone-affected areas.
“There was no coordination among the coast guard, district administration, ports and customs departments,” he said. “The red flag warning was put up after fishermen had ventured into the sea. Moreover, rescue teams refused to carry the corpses.”
Desai said senior ministers, including chief minister Ashok Chavan, should have visited the region.
He demanded stern action against the erring officials. “The loans of fishermen who lost their ships should be waived,” he said. “Compensation for the rice and fruit farms should be raised. Families that lost bread-winners should be given more attention.”
Desai said the Sena would raise the issue in the winter session of the state assembly in Nagpur.
Meanwhile, the state is likely to announce an additional compensation to those adversely affected by the cyclone. Four districts of the Konkan and Nashik were most affected, with the accumulated damage estimated at Rs100 crore.
Deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal said grape growers in North Maharashtra suffered losses running into crores. He said a compilation of the losses is expected soon. “Once we received the reports from the district collectors, the issue will be discussed in the cabinet on Thursday,” he said.
(With inputs from S Gangan)
