Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s gesture to provide ex-gratia out of the National Relief Fund to next to the kin of those killed in the twin calamity – Phailin and subsequent floods in the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced a higher amount of ex-gratia assistance to the deceased family.
According to official sources, as many as 26 persons were killed during the cyclone and subsequent floods so far in the State. The cyclone death toll alone was 21. The Chief Minister had announced ex-gratia assistance to the tune of Rs 4 lakh to each of the deceased family which is double the amount announced by the Prime Minister.
According to official sources, the Chief Minister had asked the concerned District Collectors to ensure the disbursement of the ex-gratia amount to the next to the kin of each deceased within next 48 hours. However, there was no compensation for those who were injured due to the cyclone or floods.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister had announced ex-gratia to the tune of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has complimented the efforts of the State authorities in all affected districts as well as the NMA and NDRF and IMD for preventive measures that minimized the death and impact of Phailin.