By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 15, 2018: The Centre is likely to release financial assistance from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for Odisha soon to take up the repair and restoration works in areas affected by cyclone Titli and subsequent floods.

Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday assured chief minister Naveen Patnaik of releasing the assistance immediately following a telephonic conversation. Naveen also wrote to Rajnath in this regard on Thursday.

The state government has earlier submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking an assistance of Rs 2023.13 crore from the NDRF against a requirement of Rs 2779.32 crore.

The very severe cyclonic storm that made landfall near Palasa in Andhra Pradesh on October 11 and subsequent flood and landslides severely affected around 60.31 lakh people in 128 blocks of 17 districts. Around 70 people lost their lives in the disasters.

The state government has already spent Rs 1689.13 crore from the state disaster response fund to take up immediate relief and restoration works after the cyclone and floods. The SDRF, with contribution from 90:10 between the Centre and state government respectively, has almost exhausted.

A central team has already visited the cyclone and flood affected areas in November to take stock of the situation on the ground and appreciated the immediate relief and restoration works by the state government.

The state government is yet to receive any interim assistance from the NDRF even as the chief minister had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 18 seeking an interim aid of Rs 1000 crore.
Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also requested Rajnath and Union home secretary Rajiv Gauba to expedite consideration of additional assistance to Odisha from the NDRF.

The issue has triggered political slugfest as the ruling BJD accused the Centre of neglecting Odisha by not releasing assistance from the NDRF. BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said the BJP leaders were tried to defame the state government over relief and restoration works after the cyclone but remained silent when the Centre not releasing funds.