Finance Minister Shashi Bhushan Behera visited some Cyclone Titli-affected villages in Gajapati district and held a review meeting at the district Collector’s office here on Monday.
Behera visited Padmapur and Adagaon of Gandahati gram panchayat and an Ashram School in Kainpur GP and interacted with villagers regarding the damages suffered by them in the cyclonic storm and floods. He distributed blankets and relief materials among the villagers.
The Minister reviewed relief distribution, restoration and rehabilitation activities undertaken by the State Government in the aftermath of the Titli and subsequent floods at the Collector’s office. Collector Anupam Shah briefed the Minister about the activities undertaken by various departments following the calamity. Panchayati Raj Secretary DK Singh, Industries Secretary Hemant Sharma and SRC Joint Commissioner Prabhat Kumar Mohapatra were present.
Later, the Minister told mediapersons that the State Government has taken all steps to bring normalcy in Gajapati district. Distribution of reliefs and all other assistances and restoration works are going on a war-footing, he said.
He said that three cyclone centres would be constructed in Raigada block on a priority basis. He said while the State Government has spent Rs 250 crore by now, not a single pie has been received from the Union Government.
Among others, Gajapati District Special Development Council Chairman Antaryami Gamang, former Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, former MLA K Narayan Rao, BJD district president Pratap Nayak and BYJD district president P Krishan were present.