BHUBANESWAR: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday assured the State Government to take up pending financial issues relating to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in cyclone affected districts in the State with the Centre.
The State Government told the panel that the Centre is yet to release financial assistance of `399.8 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the Hud Hud-affected families. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been insisting that the State use fund available in the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).
Special Relief Commissioner Pradipta Mohapatra is reported to have told the panel that the State Government is unable to undertake rehabilitation and reconstruction works as entire SDRF provision for 2014-15 has been exhausted in meeting a part of expenditure commitments relating to Phailin-2013 and on relief measures for various calamities that occurred during the current year.
Both the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh had sought financial assistance from the Centre for relief and rehabilitation measures. While the Centre came to the rescue of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Odisha is yet to get any Central assistance.
Chairman of the departmentally-related standing committee Pradeep Bhattacharya said the pending financial issues of the State will be taken up at a meeting on January 14 in New Delhi.
The Parliamentary panel after its field visit to Hud Hud-affected areas of Ganjam district held talks with the State’s Chief Secretary GC Pati and other senior officials here.