Centre urged to increase ex-gratia to the next of deceased’s kin by Rs 2 lakh
Bhubaneswar: In a bid to increase the ex-gratia provided in case of death due to calamity, the state government has urged the Centre to amend the norms of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi has written to Joint Secretary (Disaster Management)-Ministry of Home Affairs, in this regard.
“We have requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to make necessary amendments in the SDRF and NDRF norms. We have urged for an increase in the ex-gratia payment to the families of people who die due to any calamity to Rs 6 lakh from the existing Rs 4 lakh,” Sethi told Orissa POST, Sunday.
Sethi has also urged the Centre to increase the ex-gratia payment for loss of limb or eyes to Rs 1 lakh per person for disability between 40 per cent and 60 per cent and Rs 3 lakh per person for disability more than 60 per cent.
At present, the provision allows a payment of Rs 59,100 to a person if the disability is between 40 per cent and 60 per cent and Rs 2 lakh to people with more than 60 per cent – all subject to certification by a doctor from a government hospital or government dispensary regarding extent and cause of disability.
The state government has also sought an increase in the ex-gratia to Rs 20,000 from Rs 12, 700 per person for hospitalisation for more than one week and Rs 7,000 from existing Rs 4,300 for hospitalisation up to one week.
As per existing norms, the state government pays Rs 1800 per family for loss of clothing and Rs 2000 per family for loss of utensils/household goods. The SRC has urged Centre to increase the amount to Rs 5,000 to be paid together.
Similarly, Sethi has demanded an increase in assistance towards gratuitous relief to Rs 100 per adult from Rs 60 and Rs 75 per child below 12 years instead of Rs 45 per child (not housed in relief camp).
He also reiterated the state’s earlier demand for an increase in the agriculture input subsidy in case of crop loss of 33 per cent and above. At present, the state is providing input subsidy of Rs 6,800 per hectare in rainfed areas and Rs 13,500 per hectare in assured irrigated areas, subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs 1000 per farmer.
“The amount may be increased to Rs 10,000 per hectare in case of rainfed areas subject to a minimum assistance of Rs 2000 per farmer and Rs 20,000 per hectare in case of assured irrigated area subject to a minimum assistance of Rs 4000 per farmer,” the SRC wrote to the MHA.
For loss of perennial crops, the government provides Rs 18,000 per hectare subject to minimum assistance not less than Rs 2000 and restricted to sown area. The state suggested an increase in the amount to Rs 30,000 per hectare subject to a minimum assistance of Rs 5000 per farmer.
The state government further demanded for enhancement of the allowance provided for damage of pucca house due to natural calamity. It has demanded a hike in the assistance from Rs 95,100 to Rs 1.2 lakh per house in plain area and Rs 130,000 from Rs 101,900 in hilly and IAP areas.
For restoration of power supply, the SRC demanded an increase in aid to Rs 10,000 per pole, Rs 1.3 lakh per km of conductor and Rs 1.7 lakh per damaged transformer.
Sethi has also sought increase in assistance amount/input subsidy to the people for loss of animal husbandry, fishery, handicraft and handloom, etc.
PNN
