Government to create awareness on CMRF

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Monday decided to create awareness at the district level about the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) from which assistance is provided to the poor people suffering from serious diseases. Release of funds from CMRF has been decentralised and district collectors can also extend assistance from this. But, at the district level not many funds have been utilised because of lack of awareness. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed utilisation of funds from the CMRF at a meeting here. Official sources said assistance of only Rs 11 crore was provided from CMRF in 2010-11. Out of this, Rs 7.5 crore was provided through the General Administration Department, while Rs 3.5 crore was provided by district collectors. It has been decided that information about the CMRF will now be made available to common people at tehasil, block and gram panchayat offices. Besides, steps will also be taken to provide assistance from the CMRF to patients in health camps. Earlier, assistance was extended to people suffering from heart ailments, cancer and kidney problems. Now, patients with paralysis, more than 30 per cent burns, those seriously injured in accidents and tribals suffering from sickle cell can also apply for assistance from the CMRF. The income ceiling in urban and rural  areas has been increased to Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 per annum to make funds available for more needy people. However, income ceiling certificates will not be needed if the patient is from a BPL family. Naveen directed that the MPs and MLAs should be informed about the status of the applications which had come with their recommendations. The CMRF now has Rs 279.13 crore which  includes Rs 200 crore from Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC). The fund provided by the OMC is meant for development in mineral- bearing areas. Besides, Rs 18.06 crore is available for tackling drought, cyclone and construction of cyclone shelters and Rs 61 crore for assistance as per the guidelines of CMRF to poor patients suffering from various diseases. Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik and senior officials were present.