Bhubaneswar: The state government has released Rs 19.65 crore (Rs 19,65,10,658) from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to aid the victims of the recent hailstorm caused by Nor’westers in Mayurbhanj district.
In this regard, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari visited the affected areas on Sunday to oversee the relief efforts.
Minister Pujari toured several villages, including Sarasposi, Handa, Silpunji, Manada, and Mahulbarei in the Bangiriposi block, and Musamari, Pundida, and Khadambeda in the Bisoi block.
During his visit, the minister assured that compensation would be provided for house repairs and new homes would be allotted to beneficiaries whose houses were completely destroyed under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana.
As part of the relief efforts, polythene sheets have been distributed in the affected areas and cooked meals are being provided at the shelters.
Minister Pujari also shared a meal with the displaced people at the relief camps and reviewed the situation at the temporary helipad. He directed the authorities to provide financial assistance for house repairs, as well as essential clothing and furniture.
The visit was accompanied by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, and local MLAs Bhadav Hansdah (Saraskana), Padma Charan Haiburu (Karanjia), Jalen Naik (Rairangpur), Sanjali Murmu (Bangriposi), along with District Collector Hema Kanta Say.