VISAKHAPATNAM: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday announced financial assistance of Rs 7 lakh each to the families of the six fishermen who have remained missing since their fishing boat capsized off the Visakhapatnam coast on July 4. The party also announced Rs 7 lakh assistance to Kari Chinna, the lone survivor of the accident.
Jagan visited the affected families in Visakhapatnam and alleged that the State government’s delayed response had reduced the chances of rescuing the missing fishermen.
He claimed there was a lack of coordination among the district administration, police and other departments despite information about the incident being available.
Jagan Mohan Reddy also questioned the findings of the three-member inquiry committee constituted by the government, alleging that its report contained incorrect information regarding when the victims’ families were informed about the accident. He accused the government of attempting to cover up administrative lapses.
The former chief minister criticised the State government’s handling of the incident, alleging that no Minister had visited the families after the accident.
He demanded that the government provide Rs 1 crore compensation to each affected family, contending that the tragedy resulted from administrative failure. He also sought compensation for the fishing boat that sank.