BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced an initial package of Rs 110 crore for the flood-affected people in the state, based on preliminary damage reports received from the district collectors.
He also stated that Rs 24 lakh ex gratia will be paid to the next of kin of the six persons who have lost their lives in the floods as per State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms.
Around 8,63,909 people in 22 districts have been affected by the floods even as 2,67,301 people were evacuated as a precautionary measure. As per preliminary estimates, around 3,567 houses have been damaged and crops in around 33,458.30 hectares land inundated.
Majhi said the gratuitous relief will be provided to all eligible families in the flood-affected areas and will continue till normalcy is restored. Up to Rs 1.2 lakh will be provided for fully-damaged pucca houses from the SDRF.
Similarly, Rs 6,500 will be provided for partially-damaged pucca houses while Rs 4,000 will be paid for partially-damaged kutcha houses. Besides, Rs 8,000 will be provided for fully-damaged huts and Rs 3,000 for cattle sheds.
Compensation of Rs 8,500 per hectare will be provided to small and marginal farmers for crop/horticulture loss in non-irrigated areas while the assistance per hectare in irrigated areas has been fixed at Rs 17,000. Assistance for damage of perennial crops per hectare has been fixed at Rs 22,000.
While Rs 37,500 will be paid for each milch buffalo or cow dead in the flood, Rs 4,000 will be provided per goat or sheep. The assistance for each bullock, buffalo and horse has been fixed at Rs 32,000 and Rs 20,000 per calf, donkey or mule.
Majhi said the administration is working continuously to ensure immediate relief and all necessary assistance reach every flood-affected family. Senior officials are on the ground monitoring the situation. Relief, rehabilitation and rescue work will continue till normalcy is restored.
As many as 529 relief camps and 31 animal camps are operational in affected areas. To provide immediate assistance to affected people, 41 quintals of rice, 1,115 quintals of chuda, 496 quintals of jaggery, 3,869 polythene sheets and other emergency relief materials have been distributed, he added.
Currently, relief, rescue and rehabilitation work is being carried out on a war footing in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts. Food, safe drinking water, health services, veterinary care, polythene sheets and other emergency assistance are being provided continuously to affected people. An advance assistance of Rs 26 crore has already been provided to the worst affected districts.
Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari said property over Rs 40.2 crore including houses have been damaged in the floods. The assessment process is progressing in areas where water has receded completely and the findings will help the government in extending relief and rehabilitation assistance to the affected families at the earliest, he said.
