"Even though the state was hit by twin calamities of cyclone and floods, no Central minister has visited the state and we have not received a single penny from the Union government as assistance yet", said Surya Narayan Patro, state revenue and disaster management minister after meeting the Governor.He said, the Union home secretary and an inter-ministerial team of the Centre had seen in their own eyes the devastation caused by the cyclone and floods during their visit to the state. But this has not moved the Centre. Soon after the tropical cyclone Phailin struck the state on October 12, the state had submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking Rs 4242 crore assistance.Subsequently, sustained heavy rains triggered by low pressure causing floods in large parts of the state, the government had sought an additional assistance of Rs 1590 crore during the visit of the Central team.
Besides, a report on medium term reconstruction plan of Rs 7690 crore has been submitted to the Planning Commission of India. The Commission is also requested to form an Odisha specific inter-ministerial group of cabinet committee on reconstruction, said Injeti Srinivas, Development Commissioner.