Odisha Hikes Ex-Gratia Amount For Victims Of Man-Animal Conflict

Bhubaneswar: In a big relief to victims of man-animal conflict, the Odisha government has hiked the compensation amount with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approvign a proposal in this regard.

Every year, many lives are lost in man-animal conflict. Villagers staying close to forest areas face the additional challenge of damage to crops, houses and property as wild animals keep straying into human habitations. Keeping these in view, the Odisha government gave its nod to the hike in compensation.

As per revised guidelines, the compensation amount for kin of deceased in killed in attack by wild animals will be hiked from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 6 lakh, an official release said.

In case of permanent injury, if the victim suffers less than 60 per cent wounds, the financial assistance will be increased to Rs 1.5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh and if more than 60 per cent, the person concerned would get Rs 2.5 lakh.

If a victim suffers temporary injuries, the treatment at government hospital would be free of cost. If the treatment mandates more than a week at the hospital, the victim is entitled to get Rs 10,000 and and if less than a week, Rs 5,000.

In case of livestock death, the compensation amount for cows and buffaloes is Rs 37,500, Rs 32,000 for bullock (as against Rs 5,000), Rs 5,000 for calves (as against Rs 2,500), Rs 4,000 for goat/sheep (as against Rs 2,000) and Rs 1,500 for lamb (as against Rs 750).

For damage to cereal crops, the hike is from Rs 10,000 per acre to Rs 20,000. For commercial crops, the hike is from Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000.

For damage to property like houses, the compensation amount will go up from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000. If a house is permanently damaged, the victim will be entitled to financial assistance under Biju Pucca Ghar scheme along with additional Rs 20,000 as against Rs 10,000 earlier, the release added.