As the centre has completely ignored Odisha and not releasing any assistance to deal with the crisis aftermath Cyclone Phailin and subsequent floods, Governor SC Jamir has been forced to write a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, demanding release of the funds for the state. The move came after a BJD delegation met him and submitted a memorandum in this regard.

Governor Jamir requested the PM to release Rs 4242.41 crore assistance in the first phase and Rs 1590.09 crore in the second phase so that the state government expedites the relief, rehabilitation and restoration work. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also sough appointment with the Prime Minister and Home Minister to seek immediate assistance.

The tug-of-war between the BJD and Congress over the relief and restoration work in cyclone and flood-hit areas continues unabated. The Congress has accused the state government of not doing enough to help the needy people. The BJD has raked up the issue of central apathy. The party has questioned why the PM, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and BJP’s Narendra Modi have not visited Odisha yet.