Odisha CM asks Collectors of cyclone hit districts to submit report by Nov 18

Bhubaneswar: After making an aerial survey of Cyclone Bulbul hit areas of the State, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today directed Collectors of the affected districts to submit damage assessment report to Special Relief Commissioner PK Jena by November 18. Also, he asked the officials to ensure that the assistance is provided to the affected people by November 24.

Through videoconferencing at Lok Seva Bhawan, the CM directed the Collectors to maintain transparency during the damage assessment and disbursal of assistance.

Also he asked the officials to ensure that the assistance amount is credited to bank accounts of the affected people.

During the review meeting, Patnaik also asked to restore power supply and other infrastructure within next two days. He directed the officials to provide water supply to public with the help of generators until electricity supply is restored. If required, water can be supplied through water tankers, the CM said.

He lauded the work of Fire Service personnel and ODRAF for rescue and restoration work in the cyclone affected areas.

Besides, the CM announced financial assistance for farmers, livestock owners, fishermen and boatmen hit by the cyclone.

As per the announcement, agriculture input subsidy will be provided to small and marginal farmers who have sustained crop loss of 33 per cent and above, at Rs 6800 per hectare in rain-fed and in non-irrigated areas.

Rs 13,500 per hectare of land in areas under assured irrigation, Rs 18,000 per hectare for all types of perennial crops like mango, coconut, cashew and betel vine, will be provided.

Besides, mini kits of pulses and oil seed to be supplied to 50,000 farmers during Rabi 2019-20.

An incentive of Rs 15,000 per farmer will be provided to 30 units for repair and renovation of betel vine cultivation.

Short term Rabi loans advanced in the affected areas during Rabi 2019 having crop loss of 33 per cent and above shall be converted into medium term (conversion) loans, the Chief Minister’s Office said.

Among other, Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Special Relief Commissioner and other secretaries were present in the meeting.

Earlier in the day, the CM made an aerial survey of the affected areas following his return from New Delhi this afternoon.

Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said a central team is likely to visit Odisha for two days from November 14 to take stock of damages caused by the cyclone. He added the team will tour affected districts to assess damage.

Worth mentioning, cyclone Bulbul has caused massive damage to properties in Bhadrak, Balasore, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts on November 8 and 9.