Odisha governor writes to PM for calamity aid

S C Jamir states Centre should take steps to facilitate release of Rs 4,242.41 cr and Rs 1,590.09 cr sought by state govt two phases

With Odisha yet to receive any Central assistance for its affected people and infrastructure ravaged by the twin calamities of cyclone and floods, Governor S C Jamir has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, pressing for urgent release of financial aid.

In his letter, Jamir has stated that the Centre should take steps to facilitate release of Rs 4,242.41 crore and Rs 1,590.09 crore sought by the state government in two phases, for repair and restoration work in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by the two calamities.

Though Union home secretary and later an inter-ministerial team had made on the spot visits of the affected districts to assess the scale of devastation, the Centre was yet to sanction any funds.

Even chief minister Naveen Patnaik's request to the Prime Minister, seeking an advance of Rs 1,000 crore before preparation of the actual damage assessment, has gone unheeded.

The Centre's apathy has sparked protests from the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the state. The regional political outfit on November 6, had submitted a memorandum to President Pranab Mukherjee through the Governor, alleging neglect by the Congress led UPA government in releasing emergent financial assistance.

Meanwhile, chief minister Naveen Patnaik has sought time from the Prime Minister and the Central home minister to apprise them on the damage and devastation and also the rebuilding work in the aftermath of the twin calamities.

The State Cabinet in an emergent meeting on Thursday, scaled up the corpus of the Odisha Contingency Fund (OCF) from Rs 400 crore to Rs 1,900 crore in view of recurring natural disasters.'

Together, the two calamities affected more than 21 million people across 18 districts. Crop area to the tune of 860,000 hectares has been affected while over 8,00,000 houses were damaged.