Odisha govt asks collectors to submit damage assessment report

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has asked all district collectors to complete their assessment on damage due to hailstorm and whirlwind and send reports by May 10.

The damage reports should be sent along with the proposals for sanctioning of funds towards assistance for houses damaged and input subsidy to farmers who have suffered crop loss, said Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi.

Sethi, in a letter, asked all collectors to submit the report of damage due to hailstorm and whirlwind in the months of April and May.

Incidents of hailstorms and whirlwinds were reported in various parts of the state during April-May.

As per media reports, the natural disasters have caused huge damage to crops and houses across seven districts of Bargarh, Jajpur, Subarnapur, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Malkangiri.

Sethi who is also the Managing Director of OSDMA said requisition for funds towards damage of houses in Bisoi and Thakurmunda blocks of Mayurbhanj district and Barpali block of Bargarh district have been received and funds have already been allotted.

Preliminary reports of the death of three people – one each in Balasore, Bargarh and Mayurbhanj, and preliminary information of injury of four people in Malkangiri due to hailstorm and whirlwind have also been received.

He said there is the immediate need for payment of admissible assistance to the affected people after proper assessment of damages.

The Special Relief Commissioner, thereby, requested all collectors to complete their assessment and send their reports, along with the proposal of sanction of funds towards the assistance of house damage and input subsidy for crop loss, positively by May 10.

Besides, he said, expeditious steps may be taken for sanction and payment of ex-gratia for death to the next kin of the deceased. He has also requested collectors, who are still due, to send their preliminary reports immediately.