PM offers package to people hit by violence in Orissa

Dr Singh said, a package of assistance to the people who have suffered in the incidents, would be granted from the PM’sNational Relief Fund.

Taking a “very serious notice” of the communal violence in Orissa, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday offered a package of assistance to the families of people who have lost their lives and those rendered destitute in it.

The Centre would provide assistance to the family members of persons who have lost their lives and those victims who have been permanently incapacitated in the incidents under a recently finalised Central scheme for assistance to victims of communal violence, he told a Congress delegation from Kerala.

Besides, Singh said, a package of assistance to the people

who have suffered in the incidents, including those rendered destitute and homeless and support for repair of hours damaged including orphanages, would be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

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The Prime Minister said that Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given an assurance of “firm action” in the matter.

Singh told the delegation that he had personally spoken to Patnaik to ensure communal harmony and bring to book the culprits behind the violent incidents.

The delegation led by Leader of Opposition in Kerala Oomen Chandy included P J Kurien, MP and others.