Odisha Govt has spent Rs 367 Crore to set up Covid-19 centres: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has spent over Rs 367 crore to set up temporary Covid-19 care and isolation centres in all 30 districts during the pandemic.

Replying to a written query asked by Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Pradip Amat informed the House today during the monsoon session of Odisha Assembly.

As per the list provided by the Minister, the total expenditure towards the establishment of temporary Covid centres in panchayats and blocks was Rs 367,71,91,720 (367 crore 71 lakh 91 thousand 720), of which Rs 157,00,14,277 had been spent for purchasing equipment.

On a question about the status of equipment at Covid centres after the pandemic, the Minister stated that the district authorities in a letter dated March 15, 2021, have been directed for the reuse of that equipment.

The highest amount of Rs 48,58,49,151 has been spent on Ganjam district, which was the hotspot for Covid-19 in Odisha. The Government bought the equipment worth Rs Rs 9,30,30,750 for the temporary Covid care and isolation centres in the district. Its aftermath, the authorities have been asked to reuse the equipment in schools, hostels and block and panchayat levels in the district.

The government had spent Rs 41,89,47,139 for covid centres and Rs 14,21,96,179 for equipment in Kendrapara. The equipment has been stored in Gram Panchayat offices for reuse.