PARLAKHEMUNDI: A day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan made a whirlwind tour to Titli-affected areas of Rayagada block in Gajapati district on Thursday. Pradhan, who came by a chopper, landed on high school ground at Rayagada and then travelled by road for about 40 km to Titili village of Laxmipur panchayat. Later, he visited Koinpur panchayat on a motorcycle as there was a road blockade at Laxmipur by the villagers demanding relief of `3,000 in cash and 50 kg rice among others. He also visited Sana Sarada, Mukundpur, Giranga and other nearby villages before leaving for Ganjam.
Speaking to mediapersons, Pradhan said, “Mahendragiri hills range of Gajapati was badly hit by cyclone and majority of the people have lost their livelihood as the standing crops were destroyed. No damage assessment has been carried out by the administration in the villages.”
Pradhan said 90 per cent of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), supposed to be used for restoration work, is contributed by the Central Government. After submission of the final damage assessment report by the State Government, funds would be released from NDRF following a joint enquiry.
Among others, BJP State general secretary Bhrugu Buxi Patra, Gajapati in-charge of the party Saroj Sabat, State executive member Shideswar Mishra and BJP district president GVR Ravana accompanied the Minister during the visit.
`10L ex gratia handed over
Gajapati Collector Anupam Shah on Thursday handed over `10 lakh ex gratia to Mukund Dora, father of deceased Babita (7) of Atankapur village in Laxmipur panchayat, at the Collectorate. Babita’s body was found in a ‘nullah’ near Allasingh village on Wednesday afternoon. Mukund said Babita was swept away while crossing the nullah after cyclone Titli hit the district. Superintendent of Police Amiya Kumar Das was also present.