Sanjeev Kumar Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: The state government today announced to provide Rs 375 crore relief package to people and areas affected in Cyclone ‘Titli’ and the subsequent floods.

After the State Disaster Management Authority meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the State Secretariat, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi informed about the distribution of funds that have been sanctioned to various departments in this regard.

Sethi informed that a financial assistance of Rs 375 crore will be provided as relief to the people affected in the twin calamity. He further informed that Rs 102 crore has already been dispatched.

"The meeting discussed issues relating to the cyclone and the flood situation. We also discussed on various natural disaster management programmes undertaken in the State," said Sethi.

Sethi further informed the memorandum of Rs 2770 crore, which was prepared during the damage assessment, was approved today.

The collectors of Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts have been asked to provide the first installment of gratuitous relief to the people, for which an amount of Rs 102 crore has already been sanctioned.

As per the estimate, around Rs 375 crore will be spent for this purpose, said Sethi adding that after the first installment is provided, the next amount would be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the people affected in the calamities.

Stating on the money sanctioned to several departments for restoration work, Sethi said Rs 27 crore has been provided to the energy department, Rs 20 crore to the Food and Civil Supplies department, Rs 7 crore to water resources department, Rs 50 crore to Works Department and Rs 55 crore towards restoration works by Village R&D department.

Similarly, a financial assistance of Rs 624 crore has been approved for the Panchayatiraj Department to repair the damaged roads, primary health centres and Aanganwadi centres.

This apart, the concerned authorities of the department have been asked to submit a report on the crop damage assessment within two days.

A detailed discussion was also made on the preparedness and ways to tackle such disasters not only in the coastal areas but also in the neighbouring districts like Boudh, Nayagarh, Dhenkanal and Kandhamal.

Reportedly, the progress of relief and restoration works which are currently underway in the disaster-hit districts was earlier reviewed during a meeting on Sunday.

Joint relief commissioner, Prabhat Ranjan Mohapatra had announced a financial assistance for the loss of livestock at the rate of Rs 30,000 for loss of a cow and Rs 25,000 for bullock.

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