Cyclone Fani: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Demands Rs 17,000 Crore Assistance From Modi Government

Bhubaneswar, May 6: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday demanded Rs 17,000 crore long-term assistance from the Centre for the cyclone-ravaged state.

During a review meeting on cyclone Fani held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Patnaik sought Rs 10,000 crore for disaster-resilient power infrastructure. He also sought Rs 7,000 crore for converting 5 lakh kutcha houses to pucca houses and for a disaster-resilient telecommunication network. Fani Strongest Cyclone to Hit India Since 1999: Skymet.

"We have set global standards in saving people's lives, now we should start working for setting global standards in making coastal Odisha disaster resilient," said the Chief Minister.

Earlier, Odisha was affected by Cyclone Phailin in 2013, Cyclone Hudhud in 2014, drought in 2015 and Cyclone Titli in 2018.

The Odisha government made a detailed presentation on the damage caused by cyclonic storm Fani that hit the coastal districts on May 3. While the Centre had earlier released Rs 381 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced an additional fund of Rs 1,000 crore for the state.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister donated his one year's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the cyclone hit people. The Dalai Lama has also offered a donation of Rs 10 lakh to the Odisha government for rebuilding and providing relief to the affected areas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 06, 2019 08:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).