Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a Rs 1,000-crore relief package for flood-hit people, based on preliminary damage estimates, and said the assistance would be enhanced if the final assessment warrants it. The recent floods affected around nine lakh people, mainly across six districts.Addressing a press conference, Majhi said the worst impact was reported from 74 blocks in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. “After the final assessment, the assistance will be revised in line with the actual damage,” he said. He said the state has received more than 1,100 mm of rainfall during the last three months (June, July, and August). This is 34% higher than the normal rainfall level. He added that such a situation has not been witnessed in the past 25 years.The CM said 3.7 lakh people were evacuated as the govt closely monitored the evolving flood situation and hoped that the situation will improve if there is no further rain. He said the state had already announced Rs 136 crore in relief, including a Rs 110-crore package on Aug 3 and Rs 26 crore released earlier as advance assistance.Majhi, who visited affected areas in Bhadrak and Jajpur districts on Monday, said the 10-point special package includes agricultural input subsidies for small and marginal farmers who suffered crop losses of 33% or more. Assistance will be provided at Rs 8,500 per hectare in unirrigated areas, Rs 17,000 per hectare in irrigated areas and Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.The govt will also transfer financial assistance through direct benefit transfer (DBT) for the purchase of paddy and non-paddy seeds. Free vegetable minikits will be distributed to affected farmers, while a 75% subsidy will be provided for post-flood disease and pest management.Majhi said damaged irrigation projects would be restored and repaired on a war footing. Compensation for livestock loss will be provided, along with assistance to fishermen and farmers for restoring damaged boats, nets and ponds. Short-term Kharif crop loans of willing farmers will be converted into medium-term loans.In the handicrafts and handloom sector, artisans will receive Rs 5,000 each for damage to tools and equipment and another Rs 5,000 for losses to raw materials or finished products. Funds will also be provided for temporary repairs of roads and infrastructure, and for permanent reconstruction after the final assessment.The CM said distribution of cooked food, dry food and relief rice would continue in affected areas until normalcy is restored. Affected families will also receive financial assistance to buy clothing and household utensils.“Restoring normalcy in flood-affected areas and extending complete support to citizens is the government’s top priority,” Majhi said, reiterating that the package could be expanded after the final damage assessment.He added that 45 ODRAF teams, eight NDRF teams and 65 fire services teams are currently deployed in the affected areas.
