With the situation in the cyclone and flood affected areas limping back to normalcy, the State Government on Wednesday identified 11 priority areas for undertaking reconstruction activities in the affected areas and constituted a task force for monitoring the exercise.
The Government decided to focus on provision of emergency relief operations in vulnerable areas, restoration of drinking water supply, electricity connection, assessment of loss of life and property, creation of academic atmosphere in educational institutions, opening of Anganwadi centers, preparation for Rabi cultivation, health and sanitation and preparation of a realistic action plan for reconstruction and rehabilitation in both affected urban and rural areas etc.
Meanwhile, according to official sources, Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra asked the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), concerned Secretaries and District Collectors to take necessary steps for expediting the rebuilding works within a mission mode.
Mohapatra said that for successful restoration and rehabilitation works, senior officers would head the task force for each sector for monitoring and close coordination. He also told that since road communication and restoration work was almost complete, the State Government had withdrawn the contingents of Army, Navy and Air Force and NDRF deployed in various affected areas. However, 10 teams of NDRF at Mundali would remain on stand-by, he said.
The Chief Secretary said that the affected district administrations and the concerned departments had been directed to undertake an assessment of the loss of life and property, including Government establishments within next four days.
SRC PK Mohapatra said that the district administrations were asked to ensure provision of the relief package for next seven days to the affected families. While very seriously affected families would be provided with 50 kg rice and Rs 500 irrespective of APl and BPl, 25 kg rice and Rs 300 would be provided to less affected families each, he divulged. He further said that there was no dearth of food materials and assured that the families who lost their houses would be given polythene sheets.
Mohapatra also said that the concerned district administrations were told to undertake cleaning drive of the affected areas within 24 hours. Meanwhile, the State Government had decided to set up NGO coordination centers in seven districts badly affected by the twin calamities. The NGOs would work on the ground with volunteers and other materials in close coordination with the district administration, he maintained.