Annual Report 1999-2000 gates at the Ramel Dam and at the Hatgarh Dam, that led to an aggravation of the impact of floods in Keonjahar town and the Bhadrak municipal area. The Commission called for a report on the action taken from the State Government. The Prime Minister was apprised of the action taken by the Commission in order to ensure effective compliance. In taking these steps, the Commission ^vas motivated by its desire to ensure that there was no negligence in the prevention of a human rights violation by any public servant. The Commission was acting in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(a)(ii) of the Protection ofHuman Rights Act, 1993, which empowers it to enquire into such negligence. 6.7 Shri Chaman Lai, Special Rapporteur, has been monitoring the compliance of the recommendations of the Commission. He undertook a visit to all the affected districts from 13-19 March 2000, and reported to the Commission on the progress in the implementation of its recommendations; His report revealed that progress had been slow in respect of: (a) disbursement of ex-gratia payments to the families of the deceased; (b) disbursement of house building assistance; (c) relief and rehabilitation measures for widows and senior destitutes; (d) construction of cyclone shelters; (e) payment of compensation to fishermen for the loss of boats and nets; and (f) the strengthening of ICDS cover. 6.8 The report of the Special Rapporteur, giving a district-wise account of the action completed and pending, was sent by the Commission to the Government of Orissa with directions to expedite the implementation of the Commission's directions. The Special Rapporteur, in his next visit to these districts, foimd that compliance had been very satisfactory in respect of most of its recommendations, though it lagged behind in respect ofthe construction ofcyclone shelters, the strengthening ofICDS cover and compensation for fishermen. The monitoring is continuing. 6.9 In the light of the district-wise reports of the Special Rapporteur, the Commission placed on record its appreciation of the sincerity, dedication and commitment displayed by the following District Collectors in organizing and executing relief and rehabilitation work in their respective districts: 1. 2. Shri RK. Mohapatra, IAS Shri RK. Jena, IAS Collector, Puri Collector, Cuttack 3. 4. Shri Sarbeswar Mohanty, IAS Shri B.C. Swain, IAS Collector, Jagatsinghpur Collector, Kendrapara 5. Shri Ashwini Kumar, IAS Collector, Balasore 6.10 The super cyclone that struck Orissa was of great and unprecedented severity. It was the concern of the Commission that the most vulnerable should not become the least protected in the wake of the tragedy. The Commission also wanted to hold the State and society to a standard of behaviour and action appropriate to the immensity of the challenge that was faced. It is the impression of the Commission that its intervention and 56