PM's intervention sought for implementation of cyclone project

Bhubaneswar, Feb 16: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for quick release of second instalment of this year's central share of Rs 255 crore for implementation of World Bank backed National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.

"Against the current year's provision of Rs 255 crore central share, the state government has received about Rs 155 crore," Patnaik said in a letter to Modi.

"The implementation (of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project), which is in full swing, is now being held up due to delay in release of central share," Patnaik said. Stating that Odisha Government was implementing National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) since 2010-11, he said the implementation period of five years would come to an end in October, 2015.

Funds in hand at the end of December, 2014 are about Rs 40 crore whereas liabilities, in terms of claims of executants, exceed the amount, he said.

"It is essential to release the second instalment of central share without further loss of time to take the project to a logical end within the specified time frame, i.e. October, 2015," the chief minister said. Patnaik further said that considering the success of first phase of NCRMP, the Centre supported the proposal of state government amounting to Rs 440 crore under NCRMP-Additional towards construction of 162 cyclone shelters and 100 approach roads with identical terms and conditions.

The approved programme provided for retroactive funding amounting to Rs 120 crore and the state government went ahead with the implementation accordingly, he said.

"However, we are yet to receive allocation towards the central share (about Rs 90 crore). An amount of Rs 65.45 crore has been spent till end of December, 2014. The implementation, though in full swing, is bound to suffer if allocation of central share is not released urgently," Patnaik said. Stating that the issue has been taken up with the Union Finance Minister and the Union Secretaries of Home, Expenditure, Economic Affairs, Border Management Departments through letters, Patnaik said, "I solicit your kind intervention in the matter."

PTI