Bhubaneswar, 11 November (H.S.): The Odisha Government has extended emergency relief assistance of 50 kg of rice and Rs 2,500 in cash per family to all blocks of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts to support households affected by Cyclone Arnab.

The decision follows the relief package announced earlier by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for cyclone-affected families. Under the extended assistance, every family across all blocks of the three districts will be entitled to receive 50 kg of rice and Rs 2,500 in financial assistance.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said the District Collectors of Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal have been directed to immediately begin the identification, enumeration and verification of eligible families to ensure transparent and timely distribution of relief.

The district administrations have also been instructed to coordinate with the respective District Civil Supplies Officers and the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) for the immediate requisition and lifting of rice stocks.

The financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per family will primarily be transferred directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. In areas where banking services have been disrupted, authorised alternative modes of payment will be adopted, with proper records maintained.

To ensure accountability and speedy implementation, the District Collectors have been asked to submit daily, block-wise progress reports on the distribution of both rice and cash assistance to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) by 5 pm until the relief distribution drive is completed.

The expanded relief coverage is aimed at providing immediate support to cyclone-affected households across all blocks of the three districts.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda