"Though damage due to the cyclone was not as severe as feared, farmers are the worst sufferers. Even a week after the cyclone, the state government is yet to assess damage caused to crops," said senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra.
"Apart from aid under relief code, the state government should have immediately announced special compensation for farmers," said Mohapatra, who had led a team of the state BJP and toured cyclone-affected villages of Potangi block in Koraput district.
The BJP leader slammed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for not visiting any cyclone-affected village during his tour of Koraput on October 14. He said the BJP would prepare its assessment report and submit it both to the state government and the centre.
Refuting the BJP allegations, BJD spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda said, "The state government has effectively handled the cyclone situation. Relief and restoration work is going on a war-footing".