Centre Announces Rs 1000 Cr More Assistance For Cyclone-Affected Odisha

Continuing the coordination efforts and restoration measures in the areas of Odisha affected by Cyclone Fani, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Cabinet Secretary P. K. Sinha met again on Monday for the seventh time in succession.

As announced by the Prime Minister after his aerial survey and review of relief efforts with the Odisha Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a further release of Rs 1,000 Crore for assistance to the State. Earlier, Rs 341 crore had been provided to Odisha as an advance to its SDRF.

The Odisha government has said that restoration of Power and Telecommunication infrastructure continues to be the priority in the cyclone affected areas of the state. Around 50% power restoration has been reported while more work need to be done in Bhubaneswar and Puri. The NEET examination, which was postponed, will now be held on May 20. Medicines dispatched by the Centre have been received and all measures are being taken to prevent any outbreak of diseases.

Reviewing the relief measures, the Cabinet Secretary stressed that power connectivity needs to be restored on priority basis as drinking water supply, telephone connectivity and banking operations need electricity. The option of deploying vehicle-mounted mobile towers, as requested by Odisha, is being explored, to provide connectivity in Puri and Khurda.

More than 2,500 gang men are working in Odisha to restore the power lines and substations. The Steel Ministry has dispatched about 5,500 steel electric poles and another 15,000 will be supplied by May 14. The Cabinet Secretary directed that more manpower should be mobilized to restore power. He also suggested that mobile service operators need to operationalize their towers in coordination with the State Government.

The Ministry of Petroleum informed that a majority of petrol and diesel retail outlets are functional and sufficient stock of diesel and other fuels is available in Odisha. Mobile dispensers of diesel of 6000 litres capacity each are being pressed into service.

The Finance Ministry has directed insurance companies to settle claims expeditiously. The State Level Banking Committee has been asked to convene to coordinate all banking issues, including functioning of ATMs.

Railways have resumed train services on all the lines. The yard at Puri, which was extensively damaged will be restored fully by May 12.

The Defence Ministry has moved diesel generators to Odisha. Four helicopters of the Navy and Indian Coast Guard are engaged in relief operations. The Navy and ICG are also running community kitchens for cyclone affected people.

The Cabinet Secretary directed that officers of Central Ministries/agencies should work in close coordination with the Odisha government and provide the required assistance expeditiously.

The Chief Secretary/Addl Chief Secretary of Odisha participated in the NCMC meeting through video conference. Senior officials from Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Power, Telecommunications, Steel, Financial Services and NDMA also attended the meeting.