The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would take up the issues related to relief and restoration measures in the Phailin-hit districts of the State, particularly Ganjam district, in Parliament as well as with the Prime Minister, said M. Venkaiah Naidu, former national president of the party.
Mr. Naidu along with several senior leaders of the party, including State president K.V. Singhdeo, visited some of the cyclone-ravaged villages of Ganjam and Chatrapur blocks of Ganjam district on Thursday.
Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Naidu said the devastation caused by the cyclonic storm and the floods that followed was immense. Both Central and State governments had to rise above politics to provide succour to the devastated families.
The BJP leader said it would not be possible for the State government to take up such mammoth task of relief, restoration and rehabilitation in the natural calamity-ravaged areas. “It is the duty of the Central government to come forward to provide all possible assistance to the Odisha government. If needed the Centre should bring in changes in the existing norms for it,” he added. The Central leadership of the BJP would discuss the devastation caused by natural calamities with the State body and would also review the memorandum of the State government to the Centre. After that the BJP leaders would raise the issue in Parliament and would also meet the Prime Minister for provision of proper assistance to the State, he said.
Mr. Naidu also asked the State government to form all-party committees at Sate, district and block level for monitoring relief and restoration work. The administration should provide all information regarding loss, relief and restoration work to the committees. Apart from it these committees should also discuss the complaints made by the general public regarding relief and restoration work.
He suggested the State government to provide free ration for three months to the Phailin-hit families. The BJP leader felt every cyclone devastated village in Ganjam district was now in need of safe drinking water and milk or milk powder for the children. He urged the administration to make these arrangements soon. Mr. Naidu wanted the government to replace damaged boats and nets of fishermen with new ones as financial compensation would not be sufficient for fishermen to buy new ones.
Restoration work
Mr. Naidu was critical of the pace of power restoration work in Ganjam district. The work was too tardy and most of the rural areas were still in darkness. Power restoration work should be taken up on war-footing.
Mr. Singhdeo said the BJP was planning to ask the ruling party to convene a special session of the State Assembly to discuss the damages caused by the Phailin cyclone and floods.
