CRF: Centre releases Rs 154 crore in advance

BHUBANESWAR: Responding to the request of the State, the Centre on Monday released second instalment of Rs154 crore in advance from the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF). The second instalment is due in December. The State Government had sought an early release of assistance from the CRF for reconstruction works in the flood-affected areas.  The Centre had released Rs 154 crore as the first instalment from the CRF prior to the floods. The State’s share in the CRF is Rs 411 crore for the current financial year. While the Centre’s share is 75 per cent, the rest is provided by the State. The Centre was requested to release second instalment immediately not waiting till December, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P K Mohapatra. The Government has targeted to spend Rs 1,208 crore on reconstruction works in the affected areas in the next 45 days while estimating the total damage of different departments at Rs 2,937 crore.  The SRC is likely to issue a formal notification on October 12 to start the reconstruction works in the flood-hit areas. The 45-day countdown will start from the date of notification. As per the CRF norms, the restoration works should be completed within 45 days of the commencement of flood. Although floods in the Brahmani, Baitarani, Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha river systems commenced on September 23, the Government was busy in relief operations followed by enumeration of damaged houses. Restoration work was not possible as the entire government machinery was engaged in relief operations. Meanwhile, the Government has instructed line departments to float tenders for reconstruction of  damaged infrastructure like roads, bridges and river embankments. Of the Rs1,208 crore earmarked to be spent in 45 days, Water Resources Department requires Rs 309.37 crore followed by Rs 250 crore by Agriculture Department, Rs 151 crore by Panchayati Raj Department, Rs 109 crore by Rural Development Department and Rs 108 crore each by the Works and the Women and Child Development departments. Health and Family Welfare, Energy, Fisheries and Housing and Urban Development departments would also undertake massive reconstruction activities.