The Odisha government has sought financial assistance of Rs 2,526 crore from the Centre to compensate for the damage caused by the recent cyclone and floods in the state. The demand was placed before the eight-member Central team based on the preliminary damage assessment in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.
Apart from immediate relief and compensation, the state government has also demanded a special financial package of Rs 10,000 crore to develop permanent infrastructure and strengthen disaster resilience in the three affected districts.
State Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil shared the information after a review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan following the Central team’s assessment visit.
According to Patil, the cyclone and subsequent floods caused extensive damage in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts. Several houses, roads, agricultural fields and irrigation projects were damaged, leaving thousands of people affected.
The state has sought central assistance not only to compensate for the losses but also to support the rehabilitation and restoration of flood-affected communities.
The Central team’s visit to Odisha has now concluded. The eight-member team visited the affected areas to assess the extent of damage on the ground. Following the field inspection, its members held discussions with the Chief Secretary and later met Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Secretaries from various departments attended the meetings and presented details of the damage and the financial assistance required for restoration and rehabilitation.
Patil further said that the Central team observed that the actual damage appeared to be higher than what was indicated in the preliminary assessment reports.
Accordingly, the state government is collecting detailed information from various departments to prepare a comprehensive assessment. The final damage assessment report is expected to be completed within the next eight to ten days and subsequently submitted to the Centre.
The Odisha government’s demand includes Rs 2,526 crore towards immediate damage compensation and an additional Rs 10,000 crore special package for long-term disaster management and infrastructure development.
The state is now awaiting the Centre’s decision on its financial assistance demands.