Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a Rs 1,000 crore relief package for people affected by the floods in the State.
The announcement came after the Chief Minister reviewed the flood situation and the extent of damage in the affected districts. The relief package focuses mainly on farmers, livestock owners, fishermen and artisans who have suffered losses due to the floods.
Under the package, small and marginal farmers whose crops have suffered 33% or more damage will receive financial assistance. Farmers will get Rs 8,500 per hectare for damage to non-irrigated land and Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated land. For damage to all-season produce, the assistance will be Rs 22,500 per hectare.
The government will also provide financial assistance to affected farmers to purchase paddy and non-paddy seeds. Free vegetable mini-kits will be distributed to farmers to help them restart cultivation.
Farmers whose crops are damaged by pests following the floods will receive a 75% subsidy. Damaged lift irrigation systems will be repaired on a war-footing basis, the Chief Minister said.
The relief package also includes compensation for livestock losses. Financial assistance will be provided for damaged ponds, boats and fishing nets. Farmers willing to avail the facility will be allowed to convert their short-term Kharif loans into medium-term agricultural loans.
Artisans whose livelihoods have been affected by the floods will receive financial assistance of Rs 5,000.
The Chief Minister said six districts are currently affected by floods, with 74 blocks and 1,381 villages impacted. Around 9.4 lakh people have been affected across these districts.
Jajpur is among the worst-hit districts, with 270 villages in 10 blocks affected and around 2.8 lakh people impacted. As many as 203 relief centres have been opened in the district.
In Bhadrak district, 149 villages in four blocks have been affected, impacting around 2.59 lakh people. Flood conditions have also been reported in Baleshwar, Keondujhar, Mayurbhanj and Kendrapada districts.
A total of 45 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and eight National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed across the six affected districts.
Majhi said the government’s priority is to ensure zero casualties and that all necessary measures are being taken in that direction. More than 100 people have reportedly suffered snake bites during the flood situation, but no death has occurred due to the administration’s preparedness, he said.
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