Orissa asks for one time help of Rs 50 crore from Centre

New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has requested Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad to provide a one time assistance of Rs 50 crore to clear all outstanding dues following the transfer of National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) from the Centre to the State Government in 2002-03.

Mr Patnaik made this representation during a meeting with the Rural Development Minister here today.

During the meet, Mr Patnaik also requested for enhancing the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) from its present level of Rs 75 to at least Rs 200 per month per beneficiary. Mr Prasad said such a measure has just been approved by the Union cabinet.

Mr Prasad also assured Mr Patnaik that his Ministry would recommend both the one time grant of Rs 50 crore to clear of the dues and enhanced funding at the level of Rs 13 crore per annum to Orissa.

Later the Chairman -cum-Managing Director of MMTC S D Kapoor, who is also the Chairman of Nilachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL), called on Mr Patnaik at the Orissa Bhawan and informed him that a sum of Rs 9.42 crore is being released immediately to the district collector of Jajpur for payment of house building assistance at the rate of Rs 1.05 lakh per family to 628 eligible displaced families.

On the issue of providing employment, Mr Kapoor informed that employment is being provided to 233 persons and cash in lieu of employment given to another 127 persons and 52 eligible displaced persons been identified for employment in NINL and that would be carried out in a phased manner starting from October 2006.

UNI BKS VD HS1901