BJP Flays Odisha Govt Over Paltry Aid To Cyclone-Hit People

Bhubaneswar: The BJP on Wednesday came down heavily on the Odisha government for providing paltry assistance to the people in cyclone-hit districts of Ganjam and Gajapati.

Talking to mediapersons here after the return of the BJP team from Gajapati and Kandhamal districts, BJP MLA Pradip Purohit, while showing the video clippings on the plight of the people of Kainpur panchayat in Gajapati district, said barring a cash of Rs 1000, Rs 2000 and 50 kg of rice, the state government had not provided anything to these affected families till date. Even some of the families have not received any assistance either in cash or kind since the last 10 days.

He said the BJP team had gone to Kumaradiha village under Patrapur block in Ganjam district and Mada, Sindilinga, Raighar and Kainpur villages under Rayagada block in Gajapati district following the complaint by the affected people about rampant corruption in the distribution of relief items of over crores of rupees.

“During the visit, we have found that the relief materials are yet to reach several affected areas in these two districts. Roads that were damaged in the cyclone have not been repaired and the district administrations have not made the correct assessment of the loss of crops. Besides, no steps have been taken to provide house building assistance to the people who are remaining under the polythene sheets and spending the night with intense cold,” Purohit said.

Families of 11 persons of Buratala, Ankuli and Tumba villages who had died due to landslide during the severe cyclonic storm Titli, have not been provided with any assistance till date, he informed.

The BJP MLA also said that the people of Mada village have taken shelter in a school as most houses were swept away by the flash flood.

He said a discussion on the post-Titli cyclone review was scheduled during the winter session of the State Assembly on November 24. But it could not be discussed as the House was adjourned sine die by the Speaker after accepting the motion brought by the BJD and supported by the Opposition Congress.

On the other hand, BJD has refuted the allegations.

“The allegations of the BJP are not acceptable as they are not based on facts. The state government had announced Rs 250 crore assistance to Gajapati district of which Rs 134 crore has been sanctioned. The central team that had visited the affected areas after the cyclone, has expressed satisfaction in the relief distribution work. Besides, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had also praised the efforts of the state government,” BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb told mediapersons here.

Reacting to the allegations of Purohit, he said let the BJP MLA clarify whether the Centre or the state BJP is telling the truth.