Bhubaneswar: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has directed officials to carry out a prompt assessment of damage caused by heavy rain and floods in Jharsuguda and Bargarh districts and ensure timely government assistance and compensation to affected people.
Pujari visited several flood-affected areas in the two districts on Thursday and interacted with local residents to assess the situation and understand their problems.
In Lakhanpur tehsil of the Brajarajnagar Assembly constituency, the minister visited Sukhasoda and Semilia villages and reviewed the flood situation. He also met members of the fishing community and took stock of damage to fishing nets and boats caused by the floods.
The minister directed the district fisheries officer to conduct a proper assessment of the damage to fishing nets and boats and submit a report at the earliest. Agriculture officials were asked to submit detailed reports on crop losses caused by the floods, while the tehsildar was directed to complete the assessment of damage to houses and submit the report promptly.
Pujari also visited Chikili village in Ambabhona block of Bargarh district. He further visited Mahudi, Remta and Chikili villages in the Lakhanpur area to assess flood-related damage.
The minister directed tehsildars and other officials to expedite the preparation of crop-loss reports and the compensation process. He stressed that eligible beneficiaries should receive assistance promptly after proper assessment of the damage.
Pujari also directed the concerned departments to immediately begin repair and restoration of roads damaged by the floods so that normal transportation could be restored.
Later, he held a review meeting with senior officials at the Circuit House in Jharsuguda. The meeting discussed crop damage, losses suffered by fishermen to nets and boats, damage to houses and roads, and other flood-related losses.
The minister directed officials to ensure that there was no delay in assessing damage, submitting reports and providing compensation to affected people. He also called for immediate restoration of infrastructure damaged by the floods.
Bargarh MP Pradip Purohit, Bhatli MLA Irasis Acharya, Jharsuguda Collector Kunal Motiram Chouhan, Bargarh Collector Aditya Goyal, Ambabhona tehsildar and officials from various departments were present during the minister’s visit and review.
