Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Sunday announced a comprehensive relief package for families affected by Cyclone ‘Arnab’, offering 50 kg of rice and Rs 2,500 in financial assistance to each affected family, besides a range of support measures for farmers, fishermen, traders, artisans and other vulnerable groups.
The package was announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi after a high-level meeting at the Special Relief Commissioner’s office to review relief operations, restoration work and damage assessment following the cyclone.
Under the package, farmers who have suffered crop losses of 33 per cent or more will be eligible for input subsidies, while assistance has also been announced for damaged houses, livestock losses, fisheries, small businesses and other livelihood activities.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Majhi said the state government was committed to ensuring that every affected person received the necessary assistance.
He said he was in regular communication with the Central Government regarding the cyclone’s impact and the steps being taken by the state administration. He had also discussed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
A Central Inter-Ministerial Committee will visit Odisha on November 2 to assess the damage, particularly in the worst-affected districts of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamala, the Chief Minister said.
Majhi said that although the impact of Cyclone Arnab had not completely subsided, there was a possibility of another cyclone, ‘Murasu’, approaching. He directed government teams deployed for relief and monitoring operations to remain in their respective areas and respond to the evolving situation.
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