Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar on Sunday said the State government would take appropriate measures to protect the livelihood of fishermen affected in the recent Gaja cyclone.
The Minister, who inspected coastal areas ofithe district ravaged by the cyclone, said due compensation would be provided to all fishermen affected by nature's fury.
An assessment of the extent of damage to fishing boats was being carried out, he said adding that relief operations were continuing in affected areas.
Pudukottai district had faced extensive destruction under the impact of the cyclone. The extent of damages in fishing villages in coastal districts was also being assessed.
As a precautionary measure, fishermen residing in low-lying areas in coastal villages had been accommodated in safe shelters and temporary camps.
Due to continuing efforts with respect to relief and rescue operations, the situation was slowly limping back to normality in cyclone-affected districts, Mr. Jayakumar said.
The Minister met representatives of mechanised boat fishermen at Kottaipattinam coastal village and ascertained from them the extent of destruction.
He also received petitions containing their demands.
Mr. Jayakumar inspected a jetty at Jagadapattinam coastal village to get a first-hand account of the damage to boats and other fishing materials.
He distributed relief materials to the public at Vadakku Pudhukudi and Kattumavadi Pillayarthidal.
Pudukottai Collector S. Ganesh, officials of the Fisheries and Revenue separtments accompanied the Minister during his inspection, a release said.