PM praises Odisha for tackling cyclone Amphan; Rs 500 cr package announced

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited Odisha to take stock of the situation in the wake of Cyclone Amphan. Accompanied by the Governor of Odisha, Ganeshi Lal, and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of Bhadrak and Balasore to assess the impact of the cyclone.

After the aerial survey, Prime Minister chaired a meeting in Bhubaneswar with the senior State and Central Government functionaries to review the situation. He announced an advance assistance of Rs 500 crore to the State of Odisha, pending the assessment of the damage by an Inter-Ministerial Central Team.

Prime Minister gave his assurance that the Union Government would work shoulder to shoulder with the State Government at this difficult time and give all possible assistance for restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure in the areas affected by the cyclone.

Expressing solidarity with the people of Odisha and deep sorrow for the lives lost, the Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 to seriously injured in the cyclone in the State.

“Everyone is fighting COVID-19. In such a time, we had a super cyclone in some parts of India. This became very worrying. At the same time, due to the well established processes in Odisha, many lives were saved. I congratulate the people and Government of Odisha,” said Modi.