Orissa Government announces Relief Package for Kandhamal

The state government has announced a comprehensive relief package for the riot-hit victims of Kandhamal district. The Chief Minister announced the package on Saturday. Rs 40,000 would be given to each family whose houses were completely damaged. They would get Rs 25,000 from the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and the remaining amount from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Rs 20,000 would be given to each family whose houses were partially damaged. In addition, free food would be given to all affected families for 90 days. Each adult would get 400 gram of rice and a minor would get 250 gram rice per day. In addition, the affected families would get utensils, blankets and clothes free of cost.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Ajit Tripathy has confirmed that 800 houses were damaged during the communal violence. 480 houses were completely damaged, while 320 were partially damaged. The Chief Secretary also added that affected people included 336 BPL (Below Poverty Line) card holders.