Orissa govt to now offer cremation assistance to poor

Adding one more pre-poll sop to the slew of such measures that have been announced in the last few months,the Naveen Patnaik government Saturday announced a scheme for financial assistance to the poor and destitute for cremation of their near and dear as well unclaimed bodies.

The scheme titled Harischandra Sahayata would help the poor get financial assistance from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund for cremation. Funds to the tune of Rs 20,000,Rs 60,000,Rs 1 lakh and Rs 3 lakh per year have been placed with grampanchayats,NACs,municipalities and municipal corporations respectively. The sarpanch,municipality chairperson and mayor would decide the people who deserve assistance. The sarpanch can sanction assistance between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 and municipality chairperson can sanction between Rs 1,000 and Rs 3,000.

Advertisement

The general administration department would issue operational guidelines by August 6 and place funds with panchayatiraj and housing and urban development department.