Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra on Monday said the State Government has received Rs 427.29 crore from the Centre by way of Phailin and drought assistance on March 31.
“Out of the sanctioned amount, Rs 150.75 crore was given as Phailin aid and Rs 276.54 crore as drought assistance,” Mohapatra said.
Phailin aid of Rs 399.83 crore was announced by the Centre. But the State has received Rs 297.75 crore till date whereas Rs 102 crore is yet to be given, he added.
The Centre had announced Rs 815 crore as aid for the 2015 drought. However, the Centre is deducting Rs 212 crore out of the announced amount to release the drought assistance, he said.
“As per their (the Centre’s) calculation, Rs 606 crore will be given to the State as drought aid,” Mohapatra said.
“I have sent two letters asking the Centre to release the Rs 815 crore drought assistance announced by it earlier. I believe the Centre is considering our plea,” he stated.
“If need arises, the Chief Minister will also write to the Centre asking for Rs 815 crore,” he said, adding that the State is having a negative balance as it has spent a lot of money to handle the drought situation.
Meanwhile, Congress Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati reacted to the revelation, saying, “When farmers are committing suicide in Odisha, the Centre is providing a paltry amount to the State. Despite this, the Chief Minister is silent. I believe the BJD and the BJP are hands in glove. The State Government should pressurise the Centre and try to get the rest of the amount.”
In a veiled attack on the SRC, BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan said, “Once utilisation certificate is sent by the State, the Centre will sanction money. In case of Phailin, money came in four phases. After the utilisation certificate is sent, funds will be given in the next phase. There is no need to politicise it. Besides, why the Special Relief Commissioner was silent about the Rs 47 crore which was given on account of PhailinIJ The official should clarify it.”
He added, “The State Government has not yet distributed Rs 1,000 crore among farmers as announced by the Chief Minister to mitigate drought.”