Compensation eludes jumbo attack victims

BALASORE: The elephants wreaked havoc by destroying houses and damaging crops. Three months after, the forest officials and local administration are playing truant. The victims of jumbo attacks in Nilagiri and Remuna blocks are yet to be compensated.A herd of around 60 elephants plundered 93 houses and damaged crops on nearly 252 acres in Khurasali, Benasuli, Parikhi, Bhuinchhada, Chandakachandia, Hatimunda, Sataranda, Hatiasila, Bhalukasuni, Ambajhar, Tiakata, Jadibali, Kunjabania, Kathapal, Naranpur, Kudumupal and Pundal villages in November last year. As per the joint survey report prepared by the forest and revenue officials, 93 persons were entitled to get house damage assistance and 992 persons for crop damage assistance. Sources said the government has sanctioned ` 3.46 lakh towards house damage assistance and ` 12.63 lakh for crop damage. As per the revised compensation guidelines, while a victim would get ` 2,000 for crop damage, `10,000 will be given for a completely damaged house. The victims alleged that they were deprived of the compensation due to lack of coordination between the forest and revenue officials.  In 2010, ` 13.75 lakh was released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund following the personal request from the then collector and the jumbo victims were compensated well. Besides the house and crop damage assistance, they were also provided ` 2,000 each for clothes and utensils. This time, nothing has been released from the CM’s fund. The forest officials are also yet to provide the ex gratia to the kin of two women who were trampled to death on January 29 and 30. They are eligible for ` 2 lakh each. “The forest officials visited our house and promised compensation, which is yet to reach me,” rued Bharat Singh of Mahisapata panchayat. DFO Kedar Swain said the victims under Nilagiri forest range have been provided compensation and those left out under Kuldiha range will get it soon. “We have already distributed ` 4 lakh and received a sanction for ` 12 lakh more. The victims had to wait due to the delayed survey report,” he said.