Odissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. |File Photo: PTI
Odissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. |File Photo: PTI

Naveen to Modi: Reconsider Phailin Assistance for State

Chief Minister demanded that the Centre should reconsider the quantum of assistance to Odisha for restoration of infrastructure in Phailin-hit areas.

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday demanded that the Centre should reconsider the quantum of assistance to Odisha for restoration of infrastructure in Phailin-hit areas of the State.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister requested him to direct the high-level committee (HLC) to reconsider the matter and sanction the justified demand of the State.

The Odisha Government had submitted two memoranda to the Centre after Phailin hit Odisha in October last year seeking central assistance of Rs 5,832.5 crore towards relief and immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure.

However, the HLC had approved an assistance of only `460.38 crore from National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) for the State, the Chief Minister said and added that while considering the matter many important aspects had been ignored.

Naveen said these issues were brought to the notice of the Ministry of Home Affairs with a request to reconsider the matter mainly relating to  gratuitous relief, temporary shelter provided to affected people and agriculture input subsidy to the affected  farmers.

 The State Government had spent Rs 377.431 crore for providing food assistance to people affected by the cyclone.

However, the HLC had approved only Rs 32 crore for this.

The State Government had incurred an expenditure of Rs 469.79 crore towards payment of agriculture input subsidy to those farmers who lost 50 per cent or more of their crop on 7.81 lakh hectares of land. But, the HLC had approved only Rs 248.47 crore.

The Chief Minister said leaving aside other items, the State Government is entitled to get Rs 621.79 crore more under these heads.

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