Bhubaneswar: Orissa government has
provided financial assistance to the tune of over Rs 50 lakh
for repair of 221 of the 229 churches and prayer houses,
damaged during 2008 communal riots in Kandhamal.
Revenue and Disaster Management minister S N Patro
told reporters in the assembly, "no temple was damanged in
2008 riot in Kandhamal" while financial assistance was
provided for church repair work following a Supreme Court
directive.
While the state government sanctioned Rs 51,90,000 for
repair of 229 churchs, Rs 50,90,000 had been disbursed to the
managing committees of 221 religious establishments, he said.
Stating that the state government spent the amount for
church repair from its own resources, Patro said the highest
number of 55 places of worship were damaged in Tikabali block
followed by 44 in G Udaygiri, 39 in Raikia, 34 in K Nuagaon,
19 in Baliguda, 16 in Daringbadi, nine in Phulbani, six in
Kotgarh, five in Tumudibandha and one church each in Phiringia
and Chakapada blocks.
An estimated Rs 24 crore was spent on relief and
restoration of thousands of people, who were affected and
rendered homeless in the clashes in Kandhamal, first in
December 2007 and again in August 2008, he said.
While Chief Minister`s relief fund (CMRF) provided Rs
16 crore for relief and restoration works in Kandhamal, Rs
17.89 crore had already been spent, Patro said adding Rs 6.1
crore was received from Centre for assistance to riot victims.
To give some relief to the riot affected people, the
state government decided to open relief camps, conduct health
check up, provide security which required a huge amount of
money.
-PTI
