PM makes aerial survey of ‘Fani’ affected areas in Odisha, announces Rs 1,000 cr assistance

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 6, 2019, visited Odisha to review the situation arising out of Cyclone ‘Fani ‘that hit the State on May 3, 2019.  He undertook an aerial survey of Pipili, Puri, Konark, Nimapada, and Bhubaneswar.  Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and Union Cabinet Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan also accompanied the Prime Minister in the aerial survey.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister held a meeting with the senior officers of the State and Central Government to take stock of the damage caused by the cyclone and the relief & rehabilitation measures being undertaken.  The Prime Minister assured all possible assistance to the State.  He announced immediate an assistance worth Rs 1,000 crore.  This is apart from Rs 341 crore already released to the State Government on April 29, 2019. He promised further assistance after the assessment by an inter-ministerial Central team.

The Prime Minister expressed his full solidarity with the people of Odisha and said that the Central Government is fully committed to not only provide immediate relief, but also to ensure rebuilding of the state. He appreciated the role played by technology including satellite imagery and advanced weather forecasting techniques in minimising loss of life. He said that the combination of technological capabilities and human interface has enabled last mile connectivity with the affected.

The State Government’s efforts in evacuating more than a million people to safety and the efforts of IMD to give accurate forecast were specially appreciated by the Prime Minister.  He appreciated the resilience of the people and the fishermen living in the coastal areas. He also expressed satisfaction at the excellent coordination between the Union and the State Government which helped minimise causalities. The Prime Minister said that he knows the extent of damage and destruction such a cyclone brings, as he too has been a Chief Minister of a coastal state.

The Prime Minister assured that a Central team will visit the State soon to assess the extent of damage to infrastructure, housing, fishermen and farms and relief to be provided to the State.  He directed the State and Central Government officers of Power, Telecom, Railways to ensure restoration of services at the earliest.  He also directed the Road and Surface Transport Ministry to take effective steps for repair of roads damaged and also provide all assistance to the State in this regard. He directed that insurance companies must dispatch their observers immediately to the flood hit areas to assess the farmer’s claim related to crop insurance and provide them relief at the earliest.

The Prime Minister announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those seriously injured in the cyclone, according to a PIB release.