Today, Suresh Pujari, the Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management in Odisha, led an important review meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) located at Rajiv Bhawan.
In this meeting, he engaged in thorough discussions with the Collectors from Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri, Baleshwar, Bhadrak, and Jajpur districts, instructing them to accelerate the distribution of compensation for those affected by the relentless rains and floods.
Pujari revealed that approximately 28 districts in the state have experienced varying levels of impact due to the extended periods of heavy rainfall and flooding this year. Additionally, southern Odisha was significantly affected by rainfall linked to a recent Deep Depression.
To date, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, along with the Special Relief Commissioner’s Office, has allocated Rs 241.37 crore in compensation to those impacted. Recently, funds were allocated specifically: Rs 5 crore for Nabarangpur, Rs 2 crore each for Ganjam and Gajapati, and Rs 1 crore for Jharsuguda.
Furthermore, the Minister disclosed that Kendrapada district received Rs 16.04 crore, with around Rs 11.21 crore already disbursed. Jajpur district was allocated Rs 52.04 crore, out of which about Rs 33.80 crore has been distributed. In Bhadrak, Rs 64.54 crore was designated for compensation, and Rs 43.28 crore has been utilized so far. Baleshwar district received Rs 26.92 crore, with Rs 5.94 crore disbursed to date.
Despite the challenges of assessing damages due to ongoing rainfall, the disbursement of compensation has been expedited. Minister Pujari assured that compensation distribution across all districts will be completed in phases prior to the upcoming Dussehra festival.
During the meeting, he commended the diligent efforts and services of district administrations in managing the ongoing rainfall and flood crisis effectively. He also mentioned that comprehensive discussions would be held with all Collectors, senior officials, subject-matter experts, and relevant institutions to enhance disaster-resilient infrastructure in the state, and appropriate measures will be taken.
Attendees of the meeting included Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Southern Division RDC Sangram Keshari Mahapatra, Additional SRC Padmanabha Behera, and other senior department officials. The district Collectors participated via video conferencing.
