SC notices to Orissa to compensate 1999 cyclone victims

New Delhi, Jan 9 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to Orissa on a petition seeking compensation to the victims of the 1999 cyclone in the state.

A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha and V S Sirpurkar issued notices after hearing counsel for the petitioner Bhabesh Bej seeking directions to the State Government to pay ex gratia compensation to 118 victims, who had not even been paid the same.

The apex court directed the State of Orissa to file its response within four weeks explaining why the compensation had not been paid to the victims even after a lapse of over eight years.

Thousands of people were rendered homeless by the cyclone which had hit coastal Orissa in 1999. The victims were entitled to an immediate ex gratia compensation, which was to be provided as an immediate relief.

Most of the victims belonged to the weaker sections of society.

According to the petitioner, the callous attitude of the government towards these victims had almost jeopardised their survival.

UNI AKS/SC SBC PK BD2120