BHUBANESWAR: After visits by several Central teams and wrangling among political parties, the Centre finally released Rs 427.29 crore on March 31 as assistance for Phailin and drought which damaged crop in a large part of the State.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra on Monday said the State Government received Rs 427.29 crore from the Centre for Phailin and drought assistance on March 31.
Of the sanctioned amount, Rs 150.75 crore was assistance for Phailin which was due to the State and Rs 276.54 crore was for drought of 2015, the SRC said.
The Centre had announced Rs 400 crore assistance for cyclone Phailin which hit the State in October, 2013. Of this, the State Government has so far received Rs 297.75 crore while Rs 102 crore is yet to released.
Similarly, Rs 815 crore assistance was announced by the Centre for the drought in 2015, of which Rs 212 crore will be deducted. But now, only Rs 603 crore will be released for drought.
The SRC has already written two letters to the Centre requesting release of Rs 815 crore as drought aid. “I believe the Centre is considering the request,” he said.