CM Orders Biju Pucca Ghar For 13,000 Families Of Cyclone-Hit Districts

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed the authorities concerned to provide Biju Pucca Ghar to 13,000 families, whose houses were damaged during the severe cyclonic storm Titli on October 11, in 13 districts.

Presiding over a high-level meeting at the State Secretariat here, the Chief Minister asked the department concerned to expedite the process and ensure transparency in construction of these houses at an estimated cost of Rs 178 crore. The officials have been directed to submit the work order at the block level on a specific date.

It was decided in the meeting that the local businessmen and the self-help groups (SHGs) will be roped in for preparation of the materials for the construction of the houses. The SHGs will be provided with additional financial assistance for their training on the same.

Apart from this, the state government will seek the cooperation of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist the SHGs in the preparation of the construction materials, train the masons and provide necessary assistance for the livelihoods of the affected families.