Successive floods: Central hint for more aid

BHUBANESWAR: The inter-ministerial Central team on Friday hinted that the State is likely to get higher flood assistance this time than that in previous occasions. Describing the damages caused by the recent spate of floods in the State as ‘huge’ and ‘extensive’, team leader O P Mahey, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, told mediapersons here that they will submit the damage-assessment report within 10 to 15 days. “The State Government’s request for the Central assistance may be more. But, our norms are conservative. Hopefully, the State will get higher amount this year,” Mahey said after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.  Estimating the flood damage at ` 3,265.38 crore, the State Government has submitted a revised memorandum to the Centre on Thursday. The ten-member Central team, which was divided into sub-groups, visited all the 10 districts severely affected by successive flood. While the first spell of flood occurred in the Mahanadi river system, the second spell was in the Brahmani, Baitarani, Subarnarekha and Budhabalang rivers.  A large number of houses were washed away while roads and embankments badly damaged in the current floods, said Sudhir Saxena, senior consultant, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, adding the floods had also severely hit the agriculture sector. The Central team expressed satisfaction over the relief and rescue operation being carried out by the State.  “We have not received a single complaint on relief operation during our visit to the flood-hit areas,” Saxena said. Stating that the State Government is taking all steps to provide relief to the affected people, Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said he was  hopeful about getting the Central assistance of  Rs. 3265.38 crore. It is expected from the Centre to accept the damage assessment by the  State Government as the Central team visited the affected areas when the floodwater had not receded and saw the gravity of the situation, Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said. The Central teams, which came in two phases, had a wrap-up meeting with Chief Secretary and other senior officers.