Orissa waives off exam fees in flood-hit areas

Orissa decided to waive the examination fees for high school board and +2 students in flood affected areas as the state set itself a target of 45 days

Orissa Sunday decided to waive the examination fees for high school board and +2 students in flood affected areas as the state set itself a target of 45 days for spending Rs 1,208 crore on restoration and reconstruction work of flood-hit districts.

At a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the secretariat on Sunday,it was decided that students in all the government and fully-aided high schools and +2 colleges will be eligible to avail this benefit. Besides,the tuition fees of the students of +2 colleges who have not yet submitted the same will also be waived.

The Orissa government would spend Rs 2 crore in each worst-affected block for construction of a permanent helipad and godown and other restoration work and Rs 5 lakh each in around 2,000 anganwadi centres that were identified as flood-affected. The government plans to spend the maximum of Rs 309 crore through the water resources department to repair and strengthen river embankments.The government will construct 300 rural bridges at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore under the Orissa Rural Bridges Scheme to improve the communication network in the rural areas of the state.

Story continues below this ad

The state has sought Rs 3,265 crore as grant from the National Disaster Relief Fund towards damages suffered in the twin floods.

Meanwhile,senior Congress leader and Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertiliser Srikant Jena has said the Central Water Commission (CWC) would probe into implementation of the stipulated rules meant for operation of Hirakud reservoir.

Railway authorities promptly took action, shifting passengers to other coaches and quickly extinguishing the fire.

Fire noticed in coach of Amritsar–Saharsa Garib Rath Express, no casualties reported

India34 min ago

A fire broke out in a coach of Amritsar–Saharsa Garib Rath Express at Sirhind Station in Punjab, but no casualties were reported. Railway officials quickly took action, shifting passengers to other coaches and extinguishing the fire. The train will depart to its destination shortly. The incident occurred at 07:30 hrs and is currently being investigated.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS