With the Central Government delaying release of Rs 1,000 crore announced by the PM for the Phailin-affected districts of the State and Andhra Pradesh each, a BJP delegation, led by former party president M Venkaiah Naidu, on Tuesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and demanded for its early release.
The delegation included party leaders Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram, Manmohan Samal from Odisha.
“Even though 10 days have elapsed after the PM’s announcement of an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore, it is yet to be released. Since the State is unable to bear the rehabilitation and restoration expenses alone, we have requested Dr Singh for an early release of the amount,” said former State BJP chief Jual Oram.
“Besides, we have also requested the PM to chalk out a mechanism so that the boats and nets of the fishermen are insured and premium for which should be shared between the Central and State Governments,” he added.
The delegation apprised Dr Singh of the damages caused to crops too.
Around 12 Iakh acres of paddy, 1.25 lakh acres of pulses and 80,000 acres of horticulture were damaged, while over 15 lakh farmers have lost coconut trees in the disasters. The Coconut Development Board has estimated the loss at Rs 316 crore. The delegation demanded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.