Cyclone Titli: Naveen Patnaik deputes three ministers to oversee relief and restoration

BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday constituted a panel comprising three ministers that would visit districts affected by cyclone Titli and subsequent floods to monitor the relief and restoration operations.

Revenue and disaster management minister Maheswar Mohanty, housing and urban development minister Niranjan Pujari and energy minister Susanta Singh are part of the ministers committee.

The committee would visit Ganjam Gajapati and Rayagada districts on priority basis.

“The chief minister has asked us to immediately visit the affected areas. We would start from Saturday. As instructed by the chief minister, emphasis would be given to restore emergency services. All efforts are being made to clear road connectivity. Free kitchen and free medicine are being given to people at relief camps,” said Mohanty.

All government offices under the central and southern revenue division (comprising 20 districts) will remain open during the Durga Puja vacation till October 24. All leaves sanctioned earlier cancelled so that the government machinery will be engaged in relief, restoration and rehabilitation works.

As the affected districts have been asked to submit the damage assessment reports within seven days, all government officials will be engaged in the works, official sources said.

The state secretariat that has offices of chief minister, all ministers and secretaries and heads of department would also function during Dasahara vacation.

As the state government gears up for massive post-cyclone and post-flood rehabilitation works, it has decided to cancel leaves during the puja vacation of all the officials at the state secretariat and the heads of department.

All secretaries and heads of departments have been asked to ensure proper roster management.

Meanwhile, a BJP delegation would also visit the cyclone-ravaged Gajapati and flood-affected Ganjam district to take stock of the situation.

A statement issued by the party said a delegation led by BJP vice president Samir Mohanty would visit Aska while another team led by general secretary Prithiviraj Harichandan would visit Ganjam blocks severely affected by flood.

Similarly, party general secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra would visit Gajapati which was the worst affected due to cyclone Titli.