Naveen seeks Central help for Phailin victims

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, July 26: When it comes to writing letters to the Centre seeking financial assistance, perhaps no other Chief Minister in the country will be able match Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.In his latest letter to the Centre on Saturday, the Odisha Chief Minister urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi lamenting that only Rs.460.38 crore was approved against Rs, 5,832.50 crore central assistance sought by Odisha Government for relief and reconstruction work in areas that were affected by cyclone Phailin last year.The Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to direct the High Level Committee to reconsider the State’s demands at the earliest.”The State Government had quickly submitted two memorandums to the Government of India seeking central assistance of Rs.5,832.50 crore towards relief and immediate restoration of damaged infrastructure,” Patnaik said in his letter.Mentioning that the High Level Committee had approved a net assistance of only Rs.460.38 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund in favour of the State, Stating that there was severe damage to public assets and private property due to Cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods in October 2013, Patnaik said that the Union Home Ministry was urged to reconsider the matter especially relating to three items – gratuitous relief, temporary shelter provided to the people and agriculture input subsidy to the farmers affected by Phailin.A quick assessment had been made regarding the requirement of funds under different heads, Mr.Patnaik said.After final assessment, the actual amount as per the norms of assistance had been communicated to the Home Ministry through a letter dated June 10, 201 which may be treated as the supplementary memorandum, Patnaik said.“I would like to request you to kindly direct the High Level Committee to reconsider the matter and sanction the above just demands of the state at the earliest, Patnaik wrote to Modi.