THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 18, 2026
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced
a Rs 1,000-crore special assistance package for people hit by the ongoing
floods, assuring that financial resources would not stand in the way of
restoring normal life even as the state grapples with one of its most severe
spells of monsoon rainfall in 25 years.
The package, unveiled after a high-level review meeting on
the flood situation and relief operations at Lok Seva Bhawan, is based on a
preliminary assessment and could be enhanced once a detailed evaluation of the
damage is completed.
“Whatever the disaster, we stand with the people in their
joys and sorrows. Funds will not be a hurdle in bringing affected areas back to
normal,” the Chief Minister said.
Majhi said the state had witnessed highly unusual rainfall
this year, with more than 1,100 mm recorded during June, July and August — 34
per cent above normal and the highest in the last 25 years.
The government’s relief and rehabilitation package covers farmers,
livestock owners, fishermen, artisans, weavers and other flood-affected
sections, besides providing for urgent restoration of damaged infrastructure
and continued supply of food and essential household items.
Under the package, farmers suffering 33 per cent or more crop
loss, up to two hectares, will receive agricultural input subsidy of Rs 8,500
per hectare for non-irrigated land, Rs 17,000 for irrigated land and Rs 22,500
for perennial crops.
The government will also provide financial assistance through
Direct Benefit Transfer for purchase of paddy and non-paddy seeds, including
pulses such as black gram, while ensuring availability through government and
private channels.
Flood-hit farmers will additionally receive free vegetable
mini-kits and a 75 per cent subsidy for pest and disease management following
the floods. Damaged lift irrigation points will be repaired on an urgent basis.
The package also provides compensation for livestock losses
and assistance for damaged boats, fishing nets and ponds. Willing farmers will
be allowed to convert short-term Kharif crop loans into medium-term
agricultural loans.
In another measure aimed at supporting traditional
livelihoods, artisans and handloom workers affected by the floods will receive
Rs 5,000 each towards damaged tools and equipment as well as raw materials or
finished goods.
The government has ordered temporary repairs of damaged
roads, canals and embankments on a war footing, with permanent restoration to
follow after a detailed assessment of the damage.
Cooked or dry food will continue to be supplied until the
situation normalises, along with additional relief rice. Financial assistance
will also be provided for utensils, household articles and clothing to affected
people.
Majhi had on Monday visited some of the worst-hit areas of
Jajpur and Bhadrak districts, travelling by road, boat and on foot to assess
the situation on the ground. He inspected villages in Dasarathpur block’s
Kasapa and Tarapada panchayats in Jajpur and Shyamsundarpur panchayat in Tihidi
block of Bhadrak.
During the visit, the Chief Minister checked the quality of
cooked food being prepared at Ramchandrapur school in Jajpur and visited a
relief camp at Dapanakana school in Bhadrak, where he interacted with residents
and took stock of relief arrangements.
The floods have affected Baleshwar, Mayurbhanj, Kendujhar and
Kendrapara districts besides Jajpur and Bhadrak. More than 9.40 lakh people in
1,381 villages spread across 74 blocks have been affected, while over 3.70 lakh
people have been shifted to safer locations.
As many as 550 relief camps are currently providing cooked
food to displaced people, while 45 ODRAF teams, eight NDRF teams and 65 fire
service teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to those affected by the floods, Majhi said: “This is a government of the people. We are with them and will remain with them.”
The high-level meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal, the Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretaries, departmental secretaries and Special Relief Commissioner.
