Beneficiaries sans ration card to get relief materials from tomorrow: BMC Commissioner

Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Fani-hit people under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits will be provided relief materials and other assistance as announced by Odisha government from tomorrow, informed BMC Commissioner Samarth Verma today.

Verma further informed that assistance will be mostly provided to all beneficiaries who do not posess any ration card under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) or State Food Security Act. Out of the total 1.40 lakh beneficiaries, relief has been provided to 85,000 beneficiaries.

Following public outcry over alleged lack of distribution of relief materials to cyclone Fani victims, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) had directed Khurda collector to make provisions of relief materials for the people living in slums in the capital city.

“In consideration of the representation made on the behalf of the residents of slums in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation area and keeping in view the distressed condition of those people on account of extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘FANI’, the government has been pleased to extend the gratuitous relief announced by CM, Odisha i.e. 50 kg of rice, plus cash Rs 2000 and polythene or Rs 500 cash thereof also to the families living in various slums in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, who do not possess card under NFSA/SFSS,” read a press release issued by the  SRC's office.