Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation Srikant Kumar Jena has written to the Members of Parliament to contribute `50 lakh from their MPlAD funds for rehabilitation works in cyclone Phailin affected areas of Odisha.
“Home Ministry has recently declared the Odisha cyclone as calamity of ‘severe nature.’ Members of Parliament should make this contribution for the development of Phailin ravaged State,” said Jena.
Jena said that he had met the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister to apprise them on the grave situation in parts of Odisha. “The cyclone has shattered the lives of people, caused widespread destruction of crops, dwelling units and damaged properties of permanent nature in many parts of Odisha, particularly in Balasore, Ganjam and Mayurbhanj Districts,” he said.
Jena has also asked PM Manmohan Singh to sanction more money from Central Fund towards the relief efforts. The PM had earlier announced an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for Odisha for relief and rehabilitation work and an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured persons from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
“Based on my briefings on the devastation caused by cyclone and subsequent floods to the Centre, Department of Public Enterprises has also issued a notification, whereby the relief and rehabilitation projects undertaken by Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in cyclone affected areas during 2013-14 would be treated as the projects in the backward region,” said Jena.
On his Ministry’s insistence, the Government has also relaxed the limit of 5-10 per cent of annual budget of CSR and sustainability activities earmarked for natural calamities, thereby enabling the CPSEs to decide on higher spending.