Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a comprehensive financial aid package for the flood-affected residents of Balasore, following the directive of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The aid aims to provide relief to families whose homes, livelihoods, and agricultural land have been damaged by the recent floods.
As part of the relief package, the government will provide Rs. 1,20,000 for the complete reconstruction of destroyed houses. Partially damaged concrete houses will receive Rs. 6,500, mud houses will get Rs. 4,000, and huts will receive Rs. 8,000 for repairs. Families whose homes have been submerged or destroyed will also receive Rs. 2,500 for clothing and utensils, while Rs. 3,000 will be allocated for cowshed repairs.
For the agricultural sector, small and marginal farmers will receive Rs. 8,500 per hectare for non-irrigated land, Rs. 17,000 for irrigated land, and Rs. 22,500 for perennial crops, with a maximum cap of two hectares. Additionally, Rs. 18,000 per hectare will be provided for sand removal from farmland, and Rs. 22,000 per hectare will be allocated for repairing fish ponds. In cases of landslides, erosion, or changes in river courses affecting agricultural land, the aid will increase to Rs. 47,000 per hectare.
Fishermen affected by the floods can claim Rs. 6,000 for partially damaged boats and Rs. 3,000 for nets. For fully damaged boats, Rs. 15,000 will be provided, and Rs. 4,000 for lost nets. Fish seed farmers will receive Rs. 10,000 per hectare for losses.
Livestock owners are also set to receive aid, with Rs. 37,500 allocated per cow, Rs. 4,000 for goats or sheep, and Rs. 32,000 for pack animals like oxen and horses. For calves, donkeys, or mules, Rs. 20,000 will be provided, with a cap of three large or 30 small dairy animals, or three large or six small pack animals per family.
Artisans and handicraft workers whose equipment was damaged in the floods will each receive Rs. 5,000 in financial aid.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) also announced that financial assistance will be provided to relevant departments for the repair and restoration of public assets, including roads, electric poles, schools, health centers, water supply systems, and other essential infrastructure. Detailed damage reports will be reviewed to ensure that the necessary funds are allocated to these projects.