Looking at the emergency situation due to Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19), the World Bank has extended the period of Odisha Disaster Recovery Project (ODRP) for another three months.
The ODRP was to end on March 31 but has been extended to June 30, providing a cushioning period for the State Government to utilise funds available under the programme.
World Bank India Director Junaid Kamal Ahmed informed the Ministry of Finance in this regard.
Earlier, the Government of Odisha had requested the Union Government to extend the ODRP period for another one year keeping an emergency situation like COVID-19.
The State Government had approached the Centre to impress upon the World Bank to extend the ODRP up to March 31, 2021 and allow the State administration to utilise Rs 310 crore to combat the COVID-19.
The World Bank was to reallocate the funds for contingent emergency response to contain spread of the COVID-19.
However, the World Bank has extended the period for another three months instead of one year and has asked the State Government to close the project by June 30, 2020.
The State Government was implementing ODRP for two Phailin hit blocks of Puri districts like Krushna Prasad and Brahmagiri.
Previously, the ODRP was implemented in Ganjam and Khordha, both the districts were badly hit by Phailin in 2013.
Now with the Union Government having declared COVID-19 as a national disaster, the State Government has approached the Union Ministry of Finance to allow ODRP funds for handling an emergency situation to contain spread of COVID-19.
Finance Secretary Ashok Kumar Meena is in touch with senior officers of the Union Ministry of Finance.
Meena had written a letter to the Department of Economic Affairs to consider the case as the State Government is fighting a grim battle against COVID-19.
Under this back drop, the State Government is expecting a positive response from the World Bank so that funds available in ODRP would be utilised for containment of COVID-19 in Odisha, sources said.