PM announces Rs 200 cr relief package for Orissa

The state government had asked for a total assistance of Rs 1131 cr towards flood damages and restoration work.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced a relief package of Rs 200 crore as the first instalment of central assistance towards damages caused by floods in Orissa.

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"I will direct the Home Ministry to send a team to the state immediately to finalise the total assistance to be provided", he said while addressing a news conference at the Raj Bhavan.

The state government had asked for a total assistance of Rs 1131 crore towards flood damages and restoration work.

The Prime Minister, who was to make an aerial survey of the flooded areas of Jajpur district, could not do so due to heavy rains.

"Although I could not fly over many areas which are affected by floods, I did have a chance to understand the damage caused by extensive floods which hit Orissa in four different spells", he said.

The state government had also submitted a memorandum seeking financial assistance, Singh said.