Centre to play crucial role in rebuilding of Odisha after Fani, says Dharmendra Pradhan

BHUBANESWAR: Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the Central government will play a crucial role in rebuilding cyclone affected areas of Odisha. He said this after holding discussions with cabinet secretary and additional principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the status of relief operations being carried out in cyclone Fani affected areas of the state.
Secretaries of home, power, telecommunications ministry and additional secretary, department of financial services under ministry of finance, were also present during the review meeting.
He expressed his happiness on the planned visit of a central team, led by an additional secretary level officer, on May 13 to cyclone affected areas to assess the damage caused by the cyclone. "The team is being sent even before the Odisha government has submitted the required memorandum. An exception has been made for the first time in this regard so that the Central team can gather first hand idea on the extent of damage caused by the cyclone Fani," he added.
Apart from the above team, a team led by power secretary will visit Bhubaneswar, along with senior officers of the department of financial services and department of telecommunications. These teams will undertake necessary discussions with the Odisha government so as to ensure time-bound and expeditious restoration of power, telecommunications and banking services in the affected areas, said the Union minister.
Pradhan sai, hotel and the tourism industry should be the focus of the exercise. Department of financial services should work out the modalities in consultation with all stakeholders, he added.
"There are reports of large-scale damage to livestock, which is the backbone of the economy in the cyclone hit areas. I have requested cabinet secretary to ascertain details thereof, so that an appropriate policy intervention can be formulated to restore livelihood of affected people," said Pradhan.