Secretary of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Anil Goswami will visit the State on Sunday, October 20, to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the damages caused by cyclone Phailin, said official sources here.
Goswami would hold preliminary discussions with officials of the State Government, after which he would leave for Ganjam, the worst-affected district, sources said.During his visit to Ganjam, Goswami would hold discussions with District Collector Krishan Kumar and RDC (Southern Division) Bikash Mohapatra about relief, restoration and rehabilitation programmes being initiated by the district administration.
In the afternoon, the Union Home Secretary would visit the flood-ravaged Baleswardistrict and discuss the situation with District Collector B Parameswaran andRDC (Central Division) Arabinda Padhee. After his field visits, Goswami would meet Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra and his team of senior officials to discuss issues related to post-calamity relief and rehabilitation. Special Relief Commissioner Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra would make a presentation to the Union Secretary on the losses incurred.
Goswami’s visit assumes importance as the MHA handles the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). During his visit to the affected areas, he would be accompanied by the State’s Principal Secretary (Home) Vipin Saxena and DGP Prakash Mishra.The Union Home Secretary is likely to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik before returning to New Delhi in the evening, informed sources.