Paradip, June 23: The 1999 super-cyclone took away their near and dear ones and all belongings in just two days. But, it took them 13 years to get compensation for the loss.

Around 300 compensation claims of cyclone-hit families of Ersama and Paradip have finally been settled for disbursal. Of these, 122 cyclone-hit families are now living in and around this port town. The claims were considered for payment of compensation on court directives, said an official of the district administration.

“The compensation claims have been settled in accordance with the guidelines framed by the central and state governments. There was inordinate delay in the payment of the compensation as the 1999 super-cyclone-hit families had failed to produce relevant records, such as death certificate and legal heir certificates,” additional district magistrate Surajit Das told The Telegraph.

Immediately after the super-cyclone, the Odisha government had announced Rs 75,000 ex gratia compensation for the loss of every person. While the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund gave Rs 50,000 for this purpose, the remaining amount was paid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

While some 6,883 persons of Jagatsinghpur died in the super-cyclone of October 29-30, 1999, as many as 1,308 villages scattered across the eight blocks in the district, besides two municipalities, had borne the brunt of the nature’s fury.

Those, who received the compensation recently following the court order, were, however, not satisfied with the amount. “The amount is too little and it came too late,” said a victim.

The “meagre” compensation after a wait of 13 years did not bring much cheer for Rajaraj Pal of Sandhakuda Colony here. Eleven members of his family were residing at a mud-walled house near the coast when tidal waves battered the area. Eight members of his family were washed away as Pal could save only himself and his two sons. The unlettered man, who lost his spouse, parents and siblings, had received the ex gratia compensation against the death of his spouse and parents in 2002.

Since then, Pal has been fighting for the compensation for the loss of other members of his family. In the process, the daily-labourer lost out all his savings.

“The ex gratia amount for each cyclone-induced death is Rs 75,000. While I have been disbursed the state grants of Rs 25,000 for each death, the central grants of Rs 50,000 for each cyclone victim is yet to reach me,” said Pal.

The 1999 super-cyclone had widowed Nilu Barman of Balijhara. Sixty-year-old Barman fought for all these years to get the ex gratia compensation last week.

“I lost my husband in the cyclone. My only son, who survived the super-cyclone, is 26 now. The compensation amount of Rs 25,000 for the loss of my husband is hardly substantial,” she said.