Industry Odisha Bureau, Aug 18: After making an extensive field visit to flood-affected areas, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a Rs 1000 crore relief package for the flood-affected people.
After examining preliminary damage estimates, Majhi said the assistance would be enhanced if required, after receiving the final assessment report.
He announced the package to the media after reviewing the prevailing flood situation in the six districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Kendrapara. The natural disaster has so far impacted nearly 9.40 lakh people, he stated.
The chief minister said the package includes an input agricultural subsidy for farmers for crop damage, supply of seeds, repair of lift irrigation projects, and providing succour to those who lost their livelihood.
A major component of the package is assistance for farmers whose crops have suffered 33 per cent or more damage. Small and marginal farmers will also be covered.
“Farmers will receive an input subsidy of Rs 8,500 per hectare for non-irrigated agricultural land, Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated land and Rs 22,500 per hectare for 12-month crops,” the CM said.
The government will also provide assistance through direct benefit transfer (DBT) for the purchase of paddy and non-paddy seeds. The package also includes assistance for repairing lift irrigation projects and supporting people who have lost their livelihoods due to the floods.
Free vegetable mini-kits will be provided to the affected farmers. 75 percent subsidy will be provided to the affected farmers for post-flood disease and pest management, Majhi said.
The chief minister informed that financial assistance will also be provided for the repair of damaged up-and-over irrigation points on a war footing.
Fund will be provided for the restoration of livelihood losses. Apart from this, financial assistance will be provided for damaged boats, nets, ponds, etc.
Short-term Kharif agricultural loans of interested farmers will be converted into medium-term agricultural loans, he stated.
Assistance of Rs 5,000 will be provided for the purchase of damaged tools/equipment in the handicrafts and handloom sector while another Rs 5,000 will be given for the loss of raw materials/finished goods.
Temporary repairs of flood-damaged roads and canal embankments will be done on a war footing. After assessing the damage to all infrastructure, financial assistance will be provided for permanent repairs, he assured.
The government will provide required funds to flood-affected people for household items, cushions and clothing.
The Chief Minister said that besides Bhadrak and Jajpur, the flood situation has also prevailed in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Kendrapara districts.
Giving information about the situation in these 6 districts, Majhi said that more than 9.40 lakh people in 1381 villages across 74 blocks of these districts have been affected by the floods.
Out of these, more than 3.70 lakh people have been shifted to relief centers. The government has opened 550 relief camps and cooked food is being provided to the affected people.
He added that 45 ODRAF teams, eight NDRF teams and 65 fire services teams are currently deployed in the affected areas, he added.
