Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced a comprehensive relief package for families affected by Cyclone Arnab.
The state government will be providing 50 kg of rice and Rs 2,500 in financial assistance to every affected family, as well as support measures for farmers, fishermen, traders, artisans and other vulnerable groups.
The package was announced after a high-level meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner’s office to review relief operations, restoration work and damage assessment.
Farmers who have suffered crop losses of 33 per cent or more will be eligible for input subsidies. Assistance has also been announced for damaged houses, livestock losses, fisheries, small businesses and other livelihood activities.
The review meeting was attended by Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue & Disaster Management Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee and Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil.
The Chief Minister told mediapersons the state government was committed to ensuring that every affected person received necessary assistance.
Majhi informed he was in regular communication with the Central government about Cyclone Arnab’s impact and the steps being taken by the state administration. He had also discussed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Majhi stated that before the impact of Cyclone Arnab had completely subsided, there was a possibility of another cyclone, ‘Murasu’, approaching the coast. He directed government teams deployed for relief and monitoring operations to remain in their respective areas and respond to the evolving situation.
Highlights of Relief package
Immediate Gratuitous Relief: Every affected family to receive 50 kg of rice and financial assistance of Rs 2,500.
Agriculture & Crop Loss Subsidies: Farmers suffering 33% or more crop damage will receive input subsidies for up to 2 hectares.
For unirrigated land: Rs 8,500 per hectare (minimum Rs 1,000)
Irrigated land: Rs 17,000 per hectare (minimum Rs 2,000)
Perennial crops: Rs 22,500 per hectare (minimum Rs 2,500)
Sand and silt removal from farmland: Rs 18,000 per hectare (minimum Rs 2,200)
Distribution of 1,75,000 special seed minikits (1,20,000 pulse, 5,000 oilseed, and 50,000 vegetable seed kits).
Special assistance for 2,000 hectares of sugarcane cultivation: Rs 27,500 per hectare for space transplanting or Rs 12,500 per hectare for ratoon management.
75% subsidy on pesticides and bio-pesticides for the upcoming Rabi 2026-27 season.
Agricultural Credit & Loans: Short-term Kharif loans for farmers with 33%+ crop loss will be converted into medium-term loans. Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) will be formed to extend credit to sharecroppers, landless farmers, and oral lessees for the Rabi season.
Housing Assistance
Fully/severely damaged houses: Rs 1,20,000 in plain areas; Rs 1,30,000 in hilly areas.
Partially damaged Pucca houses: Rs 6,500; Partially damaged Kutcha houses: Rs 4,000.
Damaged huts: Rs 8,000; Damaged cattle sheds: Rs 3,000.
Clothing & utensil assistance: Rs 2,500 for clothing and Rs 2,500 for utensils for families whose homes were completely washed away, destroyed, or inundated for more than two days.
Livestock Compensation & Dairy Support
Milch cows/buffaloes: Rs 37,500; Sheep/goats/pigs: Rs 4,000.
Large pack animals (oxen, horses, camels): Rs 32,000; Small pack animals (calves, donkeys, mules): Rs 20,000.
Poultry: Rs 100 per bird (up to Rs 10,000). Subsidies will aid 1,000 farmers in replacing livestock.
5,000 affected dairy farmers will receive up to 500 kg of cattle feed (100 kg per animal).
Assistance under the Chief Minister Krushi Udyog Yojana for restoring poultry farms suffering over 70% damage (up to 200 units).
Fisheries Sector
Fish farmers: Up to 75% financial assistance at Rs 1,12,500 per hectare.
Traditional/Inland boats & nets: Rs 22,500 for damaged boats; Rs 15,000 for nets.
Marine & Chilika fishers: Rs 60,000 for damaged boats; Rs 15,000 for nets.
Pond repair: Up to Rs 1,75,000 per hectare for repairing breached bunds and soil erosion, including community ponds leased by Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs).
MSMEs, Shopkeepers & Street Vendors
Loan assistance up to Rs 12 lakh with a 25% subsidy on up to Rs 3 lakh (provided directly to banks by the state government).
Street vendors/kiosks: Rs 10,000 grant; Commercial shops & establishments: Rs 25,000 grant.
Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs): Eligible affected WSHGs will receive an additional seed money grant of Rs 5,000.
Handicrafts, Handlooms & Sericulture
Weavers & artisans: Rs 5,000 per head for equipment replacement + Rs 5,000 for raw material loss.
Sericulture input support: Rs 6,000 per hectare (Eri, Mulberry, Tasar) and Rs 7,500 per hectare (Muga). Completely damaged rearing houses will receive Rs 1,75,000.
Lift Irrigation Restoration: The Chief Minister directed the Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation to repair and restore all lift irrigation points in affected villages on a priority basis prior to the Rabi cropping season.