BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Friday announced special assistance from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to all the panchayats affected by two successive floods in September. The announcement, ahead of the panchayat polls next year, has sparked off strong protest from the Opposition political parties who alleged that it is yet another populist measure announced by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to woo the voters.The decision to give aid to panchayats was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister here.Official sources said 2,011 panchayats were affected by the floods. The Chief Minister had to announce assistance from the CMRF as mostly poor people were at the receiving end of the floods, sources said.Implementation of the scheme will cost the State exchequer Rs 14 crore and benefit seven lakh people.It was decided that pension of one more month will be given to widows, elderly people and physically- challenged persons of the affected panchayats. Pension and allowance of additional one month will be given along with that of December.The entire cost will be borne by the CMRF.Besides, the Chief Minister announced a package for the weavers who lost their handloom products and raw materials in the floods. Official sources said 2,285 weavers and 377 mulberry farmers will be benefited by the scheme which will cost the exchequer Rs 2.6 crore.Fishermen from the affected panchayats, whose boats were damaged, will also be given assistance from the CMRF. While fishermen, whose boats were completely damaged, will get Rs 7,500 each, those, whose boats were partially damaged, will get Rs 2,500 each.The scheme will cost the exchequer Rs 2.63 crore.Besides, 15 flood shelters will also be constructed in the affected panchayats at a cost of Rs 8.25 crore. Official sources said the CMRF received Rs 27.13 crore from donors after the floods.
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