Odisha govt intensifies flood relief measures, announces compensation; over 8 lakhs affected
Bhubaneswar, Aug 3
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday said that the state government has intensified relief, rehabilitation and damage-assessment measures in flood-affected areas and assured that compensation would be provided to eligible people as per government norms.
The Minister said the flood situation has affected 22 districts, 85 blocks and 656 Gram Panchayats, with around 1,458 villages and 15 urban local bodies. As many as 8,63,909 persons have been affected by the flood situation in these districts.
According to the Minister, 2,67,301 people have so far been evacuated and shifted to safer locations or relief shelters.
He said the government has directed officials to ensure that people staying in relief centres are properly looked after and are not allowed to return to vulnerable areas until the situation becomes safe.
Relief operations are continuing in the affected areas, with 529 relief centres and 31 animal relief centres functioning. Relief materials including milk, biscuits, bread and other essential items, particularly for elderly persons, are being supplied.
He also said the government is coordinating with the Agriculture Department to assess crop damage through field-level verification and ensure that farmers affected by crop losses receive appropriate compensation. A detailed assessment will be carried out at the district and ground levels before final compensation is released.
He said compensation would be provided to people whose houses, livestock, crops and other properties have been damaged, strictly according to government norms. Under the existing norms, Rs 1.20 lakh will be provided for a completely damaged house, while Rs 6,500 will be provided for a partially damaged pucca house. The government will provide Rs 8,000 for a damaged hut and Rs 3,000 for a damaged cowshed.
Compensation will also be provided for other categories of damage, including livestock loss and damage to household property, as applicable under the norms. The Minister said compensation would also be provided for crop losses.
He said the Agriculture Department has been asked to conduct a detailed assessment and prepare the required crop-damage lists so that eligible farmers can receive compensation.
As part of the preliminary assessment, several hectares of crop area have been damaged, including paddy; other crops have also been affected. He added that departments concerned have been mobilised to expedite compensation to people affected by the floods. A comprehensive assessment report will be prepared after receiving reports from all districts.
Pujari also stated that the preliminary assessment amount of Rs 110 crore will be debited to the different districts on Monday itself as a provisional compensation amount. The Minister said the government would provide compensation to every eligible person as per the prescribed norms and ensure that no genuine beneficiary is deprived of assistance.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The compensation amounts seem reasonable - Rs 1.20 lakh for a fully damaged house is decent. But the real test will be how quickly the assessment happens. Farmers in Odisha are already struggling with crop losses, and delays in crop damage assessment will make things worse.
Good to see the state government is proactive, but flooding happens every year in Odisha. We need long-term solutions like better drainage systems, flood-resistant infrastructure, and early warning systems - not just reactive relief measures every time.
My relatives in Cuttack are affected. At least the government has set up 529 relief centers and is providing food supplies. But Rs 6,500 for a partially damaged pucca house feels very low in today's costs. The norms need to be revised considering inflation.
Respect to the government for acting fast, but I'm skeptical about the 'preliminary assessment amount of Rs 110 crore'. Last year, similar amounts were announced but many people never got their full compensation. Need proper transparency and accountability in the distribution process.
Good initiative! But let's not forget the animals too - glad they mentioned 31 animal relief centers. Our farmers depend on their livestock, and losing a cow or buffalo is devastating for their livelihood. Hope the compensation for livestock is adequate.
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