Sethi informed that a total of 8,125 villages under 128 blocks of 17 districts have been affected by the natural calamity. "More than 60 lakh people have been affected and crops in 2.63 lakh hectares farmland damaged by Cyclone Titli and its aftermath," said the SRC.
In Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts, 56,930 houses have been damaged. Of them, 20,422 houses were completely damaged whereas 36, 508 houses have been partially damaged.
This apart, 34,951 domestic animals have died due to the impact of Titli, he said.
"Priority is being given on relief and restoration works in the affected areas. As many as 54 doctors have been sent to the three districts while 86 medical relief centres set up in various areas. Apart from this, 82 mobile health teams have been engaged to disinfect water sources," the official added.
Yesterday, Chief Secretary AP Padhi had stated that a total of 52 persons lost their lives in the State in incidents post Cyclone Titli and flood situation with Gajapati district recording the highest number of deaths (39) followed by Ganjam district with 12 deaths.
Addressing a presser in Bhubaneswar today, Sethi informed that of the total 26 deaths, 18 have died in Gajapati district. "Total 15 casualties were reported from Baraghara village, two in Labanyagada village and one in another village," Sethi added.
Besides, three people were killed in Ganjam and one each in Angul, Cuttack, Keonjhar, Nayagarh and Kandhamal districts in the aftermath of the cyclonic storm.
"Based on the information provided, police and magistrate are investigating each case and assistance will be provided thereafter," he said.
A total of 151 roads in Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts got completely damaged whereas 1.48 lakh hectares of paddy crop were destroyed in the natural calamity.
As many as 57 lakh people of 144 blocks in 16 districts have been affected by the cyclone and post flood situation, the SRC said.
He informed that the government would get preliminary report on the losses tomorrow.
Though unconfirmed sources claimed the deaths due to the cyclone and subsequent floods in the State have touched 50, the State government has maintained the number at 26.
The Odisha government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the Next of Kin of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Minister Surya Narayan today made a volte-face saying he had no information on the casualties when the disaster struck but later on realised that media was correct.
He further said, "Odisha achieved Zero Casualty in Cyclone Titli. People died in a landslide following heavy rain and floods and not during Titli."
#SuryaPatroOnTitliToll: "I had no information on casualties when the disaster struck but later on realised that media was correct. People died during rain and floods & not during #CycloneTitli." #Listen to what Minister SN Patro says.. pic.twitter.com/y9ameWPsjU
— OTV (@otvnews) October 16, 2018
“Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have been the worst affected, but the situation is under control,” informed Sethi during a presser.
Malkangiri was the worst hit recording highest average rainfall at 165.3 mm. against the state average of 29.7 mm, an SRC report stated. Two blocks in the district received more than 200 mm rainfall in last 24 hours .
"Road communication to different parts of Malkangiri has been snapped following rise in water level at Saberi river," said Sethi.
While nine blocks in Kalahandi district have been affected and 704 villagers have been shifted to safer places, as many as 126 villages in Koraput have been marooned, he added. Moreover, locals of 10 villages in Koraput who are likely to be affected due to release of water from Indravati reservoir have been shifted to safer places, the SRC informed.
The Public Works department (PWD) and Rural Development department have been asked to restore the communication links snapped due to rain, Sethi said.
"Priority is to rescue the marooned and provide relief. Thereafter, a door-to-door assessment will be carried out to assess the damages,” he said. A team of NDRF personnel and four boats have been deployed for rescue operations.
Meanwhile, two human casualties were reported in Semiliguda of Koraput and Narla of Kalahandi district, he stated.
“A review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister was held on tackling the possible flood situation. CM directed all the district collectors to remain alert and take all necessary steps," Sethi said.
Sethi informed that ODRAF and NDRF teams have also been directed to remain prepared for any eventuality.
To monitor the situation, 24-hour control rooms have been set up in all districts.
Similarly, all the district administrations have been asked to make adequate preparations at places where Independence Day will be celebrated.
The Chief Minister has also asked officials to give special attention so that school students don't have to face hardship during parade.
According to sources, the Chief Minister was also informed that Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Cuttack Municipal Corporation have taken steps to tackle waterlogging in low lying areas of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
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.
Patnaik, during a review meeting at the State Secretariat in Bhubaneswar asked the administration to be on high alert.
"7.5 lakh cusecs water will flow through Munduli barrage by 3 pm due to which a small or medium flood will occur. Authorities of Hirakud dam will open gates tomorrow and 3 lakh cusec of water will be released. However, there is nothing to worry about," said Water Resources Secretary Pradeep Jena, at the review meeting.
A small or medium flood is likely to occur on the Mahanadi basin following the torrential rains in past three days. However, there is no possibility for a major flood, said Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi.
“As per the Water Resources department, eight lakh cusecs water will flow through Munduli barrage by this evening, thereby triggering a small or medium flood in Mahanadi,” Sethi said.
"Keeping in view of this situation, the government has asked the district collectors to be prepared for possible flood situation. The administration of Jajpur, Cuttack, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapra and Khurda districts has been alerted and asked to keep vigil on weak embankments and alert people in low lying areas. They have been directed to keep shelters ready to house relocated people in case of any emergency. Every possible step will be taken to save lives of people."
Baitarani river has touched danger mark near Akhuapada and eight to nine panchayats in Dhamnagar and Bhandaripokhari might get affected by the flood, he further stated.
Elaborating on the flood situation, chief engineer of Flood Control cell Purna Chandra Sahu said flood discharge at Khariamal has declined to 3.90 lakh cusecs and Baramul the water quantity has declined to 6.22 lakh cusecs.
"At present 6.83 lakh cusec water is flowing thorough Munduli. Therefore, those who are living on embankments have been alerted. Otherwise there is no need to panic. Due to rain in low catchment areas this flood-like situation has emerged. After the flood water passes the Munduli barrage the gates of Hirakud will be opened," Sahu added.
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to shift all liquor shops which have come up within 500 metres from the National Highways and State Highways, by April 1 this year.
A decision to this effect was taken at a high level review meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the State Secretariat here today.
Talking to media persons after the meeting, the Chief Secretary said as per the directive of the Supreme Court, liquor shops will be shifted to beyond 500 metres from all National Highways and State Highways in Odisha. The decision of the apex court will be implemented from April 1 this year.
“The meeting discussed about the implementation of the apex court order and identification of liquor shops. As it is yet to be decided on which parameters the liquor shops would be shifted, it was decided that the shifting would be done only after the norms to calculate 500 metres from the National Highways and State Highways are fixed,” he added.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Excise, Bishnupada Sethi said not only liquor shops but also other shops and hotels which have come up within 500 metres from the National Highways and State Highways will either be closed or shifted.
“At present, there are over 3900 liquor shops along the National Highways and State Highways in Odisha of which more than 1700 have come up within the identified zones. As per our estimate, there would be a loss of Excise revenue to the tune of Rs 1100 crore per annum if these liquor shops are shifted from the identified zones,” he pointed out.
The team, after a meeting with district collector Niranjan Sahu, went to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Kerang village and examined its healthcare facilities.
The team later directed the Health officials to engage Health Workers to conduct door-to-door survey and note down the details of any ailment relating to cold, cough and fever and provide medicines to the patients.
Meanwhile, taking note of the non-cooperation of the people in not handing over poultry to the Rapid Response teams, the district administration today decided to conduct raid on each house in the village with the help of local police.
“Yesterday, we had culled 400 poultry. Today we have culled only 170 poultry as the villagers are not willing to hand over their poultry to us. As a result, the five Rapid Response teams have returned empty handed as the villagers did not hand over their poultry to them. Besides, the police, Forest staff and the Veterinary officials also searched the nearby forests expecting that the villagers might have hidden the poultry. But they were not successful. Hence taking note of the non-cooperation of the villagers, we started collecting poultry from the houses of the villages with the help of the police with a hope that the villagers would hand over their poultry without resistance. In spite of this, if they will not hand over the poultry, we will forcibly collect the poultry and cull them without giving them any compensation,” Chief District Veterinary Officer (CDVO), Manas Mohapatra told media persons.
Talking about the situation in the village, Joint Director, Public Health Department, Odisha and one of the members of the Central team, Dr Bikas Patnaik said till now not a single person of the village has been afflicted with the virus. “We are trying our best to keep the virus away from the people and efforts are on in this regard,” he added.
Khurda collector Niranjan Sahu said the district administration has requested the people of Kerang village to hand over their poultry to the district administration at the earliest possible because the virus will seriously affect the children and elderly persons once they get infected.
Asked whether the outbreak of bird flu has occurred in other areas of the state, commissioner-cum-secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Bishnupada Sethi said except Kerang village, there is no bird flu occurrence in any parts of the state.
Stating that his department has kept a strict vigil and intensified surveillance across the state, he said instructions have been given to the district Veterinary officers to take necessary steps in giving Ranikhet vaccines to all fowls.
Lokayukta Chairperson Justice Ajit Singh closed the case against Sethi, who is currently serving as Principal Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management Department, filed by social activist Srikanta Pakal.
In its order, the Lokayukta observed that “Since Sethi has already returned the amount of medical reimbursement we find no good ground to further dwell on the allegation of wrongful reimbursement of medical bills by him.”
In his complaint, Pakal had alleged that Sethi by misusing his power and position had withdrawn lakhs of rupees from the Odisha State Co-operative Bank Ltd (OSCB), Bhubaneswar during his tenure as its management-in-charge from 2013 to 2015.
On the basis of the complaint, the Lokayukta had ordered a probe and asked its director of inquiry to find out the truth. The Director of Inquiry submitted his preliminary inquiry report on April 9, 2021 in favour of Sethi.
According to the preliminary inquiry report, since Sethi as a Government servant was engaged whole time in connection with the affairs of OSCB, he was entitled to receive payment of bonus under Rule 54 (a) of the Staff Service Rules, 1980.
The Director of Inquiry has also given a finding that Sethi had lawfully reimbursed the medical bills amounting to Rs 3.27 lakh on different occasions from the fund of the bank after receiving permission from the State Government.
“The allegation that Sethi by misusing his office illegally received bonus from the OSCB is wholly without any foundation and we accordingly reject the same,” the Lokayukta said in its order.
“Despite this finding of the Director of Inquiry in his favour, Sethi as a good will gesture has returned the entire amount of Rs 3.27 lakh to the OSCB on June 25, 2021 by making payment through three cheques of the same date. We appreciate such a conduct of Sethi and the State Government may consider to reimburse the medical bills in question as per rules,” the order said.
“Since Sethi has already returned the amount of medical reimbursement we find no good ground to further dwell on the allegation of wrongful reimbursement of medical bills by him,” the Lokayukta added.
On the possibilities of a flood situation in different districts coming under the Mahanadi river system, Sethi said, “About 6 lakh cusec of water is currently flowing in the Mahanadi at Mundali. This I hope will not create danger situations for the people. However, it is estimated 8.5 lakh cusec flood water will pass through Mundali anytime after 9 PM tonight.”
“Keeping this in view, we have asked the district administrations to remain alert and draw up an emergency plan to meet any eventuality,” he said.
Sethi further informed that NRDF and ODRAF personnel have been deployed in Puri, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak and Cuttack districts to meet any vulnerable situations.
These apart, the field level officials have been directed to visit the multipurpose flood shelters while the district Collectors asked to ensure that evacuated people from the low-lying areas, if any, are properly sheltered and also facilitated with cooked food, safe drinking water as well as proper health facility.
“At present the situation is normal. We are alert and keeping a round the clock observation,” Sethi added.
On the other hand, water level of Mahanadi River has reached 105.43 metres against danger mark of 109 metres at Khairamal in Boudh while Jagannath Sadak in Dhalapur has been inundated, official sources said.
#LISTEN to what Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi says on preparedness to tackle possible flood #Odisha pic.twitter.com/rEGG8MEJ1h
— OTV (@otvnews) August 29, 2018
As per the notification issued by the General Administration department on Saturday, Bishnupada Sethi, who is presently serving as the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Higher Education Department with the additional charges of Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and Managing Director of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), has been given the additional charge of the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and GST, Cuttack.
Similarly, Saswata Mishra was appointed Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Higher Education Department while Krishan Kumar was given the additional charge of Secretary of Works Department. Mishra is currently posted as the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes & GST, Cuttack and Ex-officio Special Secretary of Finance Department while Kumar is serving as the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Cooperation Department with additional charge of Special Secretary of Agriculture and FE Department and Chairman, Odisha State Warehousing Corporation in Bhubaneswar.
Prasanta Kumar Senapati has been appointed Secretary of Board of Revenue, Cuttack. He is currently posted as Director of Fisheries, Cuttack.
Ratnakar Rout, the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Cuttack has been given the additional charge of Director of Fisheries, Cuttack.
Balwant Singh, at present the Director of Technical Education and Training, Cuttack with additional charge of Director, Agricultural Marketing and Member Secretary, OSAM Board, Bhubaneswar has also been given the additional charge of Vice-Chairman of Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).
Prem Chandra Chaudhary has been given the additional charge of Controller of Legal Metrology-cum-Director Consumer Affairs, Bhubaneswar. He is currently posted as the Director (I/C) of Special Projects, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department with additional charge of Chief Executive Officer of Biju Yuva Vahini and Director of State Institute for Rural Development, Bhubaneswar.
Speaking to media persons, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, Surendra Kumar said that the constitutional authority has decided to change the locations of two of the strong rooms where the EVMs have been kept after the conclusion of 4-phase elections in the state.
“The EVMs of Erasama- Balikuda (103) and Jagatsinghpur (104) Assembly constituencies at SVM Autonomous College, Jagatsinghpur, will be shifted to the first floor from the ground floor of the same building,” said Surendra Kumar.
“Likewise, the EVMs of Mohana (136) and Paralakhemundi (137) Assembly segments will be shifted to the newly built EVM godown near Gajapati Collectorate as a precautionary measure,” he added.
According to the CEO, the poll candidates of the concerned constituencies have been apprised about the shifting process which will be video-graphed.
Speaking about the shifting of the EVMs, Gajapti Collector Anupam Saha said, “We are told that there will be extremely heavy rainfall and wind flow following which the Election Commission has instructed us for the safety and security of the polled EVMs. That is why we are shifting the strong room to the newly built EVM godown near the Collectorate.”
Quoting India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Bishnupada Sethi today informed that cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ is expected to make landfall in Puri at 5:30 PM on May 3.
Seven blocks including Padia, Kurukonda and Mathili have been completely cut-off after nine bridges in the district were inundated by flood waters. Despite this fact, the Revenue Minister post the aerial survey mentioned there were not many damages due to the incessant rain. He further stated that farmers will be benefited as several areas of the district received good amount of rainfall.
“The district administration was fully alert in view of the incessant rains. Not much damage has occurred in Malkangiri,” the Revenue Minister said.
Special Relief Commissioner however stated that people in lying areas have somewhat been affected.
Prior to the aerial survey, Marndi and Sethi held a district-level review meeting to assess the situation.
Meanwhile, a flood-like situation has also emerged in Nabarangpur district. Reportedly, more than 2,000 people have been marooned in Kosagumuda block after swelling of Indravati and Bhaskel rivers following the rain. The administration however has been providing relief to the affected villagers in the block.
The SRC directed the Collectors of--Bolangir, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangur, Rayagada and Sambalpur districts to submit a detailed report by August 17 on the damage to public properties due to the recent floods and heavy rainfall.
There are reports of massive damage in the nine districts due to heavy rainfall that lashed the State during last week of July and first week of August.
"The assessment of damage to public properties such as houses, animal, husbandry, loss of boat and net, damage of fish pond/fish seed farm, sand cast, damage to crop and loss to handloom and handicraft artisans and enumeration of beneficiaries has to be taken up on priority so that assistance as per the norms of SDRF/NDRF can be paid to affected persons expeditiously," said the SRC in a letter issued to the Collectors on Saturday.
He said a squad approach must be followed to assess the damage and adequate number of teams comprising members from different departments should be formed.
While covering an affected village, the teams will assess and enumerate beneficiaries in all sectors simultaneously. The supervising officers shall conduct test checks to ensure correctness in the assessment, Sethi said.
He asked officials to collect the bank details of the beneficiaries for online transfer of compensation.
Sethi also instructed various departments including Agriculture, Health, School and Mass Education, and Women and Child Development to submit assessment reports on damage to public infrastructure.
(With agency inputs)
District authorities of Bolangir, Boudh, Kalahandi, Subarnapur, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack, Angul, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Jajpur have been asked to remain ready with plans to tackle possible flood situation.
More than two lakh people of 124 villages hit by rain and flood-like situation. In last 24 hours, Bolangir and Bargarh districts have received maximum amount rainfall with Bolangir block witnessing a record 555 mm of rain, he informed.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Secretary PK Jena said, “Around 11 lakh cusec water flowed at Khairamal at 9 pm yesterday. Taking the calculation into consideration, we expect that 10.5 lakh cusec to 11 lakh cusec water will pass through the Mundali barrage in Cuttack late night today. There is nothing much to worry as the river embankments are strong enough to accommodate this much quantity of water. A medium flood is expected in the system.”
“As per the Chief Minister’s directive, patrolling and monitoring of river embankments have been intensified. Also, one sluice gate of the Hirakud Dam will be opened for a few hours in a symbolic manner. There is nothing much to worry, but people must stay alert about possible flood,” he added.
"There is nothing to worry as of now. Our night patrolling is also on," said Biswa Mohan Acharya, chief engineer of Water Resources Department, Khurda.
Hirakud Dam released its season's first flood water at 11.24 AM today. The dam authorities has asked the people living in the lower catchment areas of Mahanadi riverbed to stay alert in view of rise in water level in the dam.
Sunil Nayak, chief engineer of Hirakud Dam, said that the water was released due to the heavy downpour and further release of water will be considered after reviewing the condition at the downstream region.
Meanwhile, Hirakud Dam water level has risen to 619.93 feet. While the average inflow is 2.35 lakh cusecs, average outflow is 15,451 cusecs in the river.
On the ongoing flood-like situation in the State, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said that around 2 lakh people have been affected by the flood while around 50,000 people shifted to safer places. As many as 124 relief centres are presently working at different places to help the affected people, Sethi added.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reviewed the situation at the Secretariat and held discussions with the Collectors through video conferencing. He directed the administration to intensify patrolling on banks of rivers to keep track of flood situation.
The inquiry reports in the case confirmed that no financial loss was caused to OMFED, the anti-corruption body noted in its letter. The reports further stated that the decision taken by Sethi was in the best interest of consumers, farmers and OMFED.
"We are also of the view that the findings of the inquiry reports are well founded and unassailable," the Chairperson of Lokayukta said in the order.
But former bureaucrats have questioned the judgement by the Lokayukta as unilateral and wrong. Ex bureaucrat Sahadev Sahoo said that despite repeated pleas, neither the Lokayukta initiated probe into the allegations nor did it hand over the investigation to a separate agency, a decision which was very flawed.
RTI Activist Pradeep Pradhan, who is a complainant in the case, has also warned to move the High Court to challenge the ruling of the Lokayukta.
As per reports, Sethi, the erstwhile CMD of OMFED was accused of being involved in 'corrupt practices' in procurement of polythene pouches, costing the milk producers federation losses to the tune of crores.
The then Managing Director of OMFED, Madhusudan Padhi had urged the government for a high-level probe into the allegations of the scam. Even the CAG had also cited glaring irregularities in the procurement process following which the government directed for a departmental inquiry.