CM gives appointment letters to 10 victims of cyclone Ockhi

Palaniswami handed over  appointment letters to 10 out of the total 136 persons selected by the State government for various government jobs. 

“The beneficiaries were allotted jobs in various government departments based on their educational qualification,” said Palaniswami. 

“After receiving the letter, the family members of the victims thanked the Chief Minister and other officials of Revenue and Fisheries departments who helped them in getting jobs. 

Cyclone Ockhi had struck Kanniyakumari district in the last week of November. Around 180 fishermen had died, of whom 136 were from Kanniyakumari. 

As part of the relief measures, the State government had sanctioned Rs 20 lakh to each of the victims, besides promising jobs for all the families who had lost their breadwinner in the cyclone. 

Fishermen representatives from Kanniyakumari expressed their gratitude to the State government for fulfilling its promise. 

Speaking to DTNext, Justin Antony, founding president, International Fishermen Federation, said the families who had lost the fishermen were struggling without livelihood opportunities and the government job would ensure a better future for them.

“It is a timely help for the families who are reeling under poverty after losing their breadwinners,” said Justin Antony. 

He also urged the government to aid those affected by cyclone Phyan, which brought intense rainfall in November 2009. 

Justin Antony said the cyclone had caused severe damage to the fishing equipment, especially the boats. Eight fishermen from Thoothur in Kanniyakumari district went missing in the cyclone but so far, their families have not been provided monetary relief or any government job. 

“The government should help those affected by cyclone Phyan just as it did for the victims of cyclone Ockhi,” he added.