PANAJI: Stating that the Phyan cyclone that hit off the Goan coast, last year was responsible for losses amounting to Rs 9.81 lakh - Rs 2.29 lakh in North Goa and Rs 7.52 in South Goa, the Minister for Revenue, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza, said that the government has already taken steps/ measures to overcome the problems during natural calamities in the future.

In a written reply to the related question, the Revenue Minister told the House on Tuesday that the government has selected the places in both the North and South district, to build the shelter houses for the evacuee and victims, during such natural calamities in future.

"A control room is proposed to be set up in the fisheries department in co-ordination with meteorological department to safeguard the interest of fishermen," Mr D’Souza stated, adding that it is also proposed to make provision of lifejackets and lifebuoys mandatory on fishing vessels.

"It is proposed to monitor the movement of fishing vessel for better co-ordination and communication," he informed, pointing out that all the fishing owners have been advised to install the necessary communication and distress alert equipment for which financial assistance available through centrally sponsored scheme shall be provided.

Informing further, the Revenue Minister said that all the fishing vessels are advised to carry transistors on board to receive the weather bulletins.

Coming out with information about compensation to the victims of the cyclone, Mr D’Souza said that the relief sanctioned has already been disbursed to the victims of natural calamity of North Goa, while such claims from South Goa are forwarded to the director of fisheries, to certify the same.

"Once the claims are received back from the directorate of fisheries, the same will be settled as per the CRF norms," he noted.