Cyclone Yaas: PM Modi announces Rs 1,000-cr financial aid for Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited Odisha and West Bengal to review the situation arising out of Cyclone Yaas. He undertook an aerial survey of the cyclone affected areas in Bhadrak and Baleswar districts of Odisha, and Purba Medinipur in West Bengal.
FollowNew Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to Cyclone Yaas-hit states - Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand - for immediate relief activities.
PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh in case of a death and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the cyclone. The union government will deploy an inter-ministerial team to visit the states to assess the full extent of damage, with the Centre assuring all help in rebuilding infrastructure in affected areas.
“In Bhubaneswar, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting to review the relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken," according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
“The Prime Minister was briefed that maximum damage due to Cyclone Yaas happened in Odisha, and some parts of West Bengal and Jharkhand have also been affected," the statement added.
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that her state has faced losses to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore. Notably, the central government had provided Rs 1,000 crore in advance to West Bengal to deal with the devastation caused by Super Cyclone Amphan last May.
PM Modi had a 15-minute meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Kalaikunda Air Base in Bengal's West Midnapore district to assess damage caused by Cyclone Yaas. Later, the Chief Minister skipped the review meet called by the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister assured the people of Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand that the Union Government would closely work with the State Governments at this difficult time, extend all possible assistance for restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas.
Prime Minister expressed his complete solidarity with all those who suffered due to the cyclone and expressed deep sorrow to the families who have lost their kin during the calamity.
PM Modi appreciated the preparedness and disaster management activities by the Government of Odisha which has resulted in minimal loss of lives. He also noted that the state has embarked on long term mitigation efforts for dealing with such natural disasters.
He also mentioned that Disaster Mitigation has been given emphasis by the Finance Commission too by provisioning for mitigation funds to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
