Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 78.76 lakh from the chief minister’s relief fund to support 13 institutions run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in Odisha.
The Centre has refused to renew the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act licence of the Calcutta-headquartered organisation, cutting off a key source of funds.
A media release issued by the Odisha chief minister’s office on Tuesday said: “It may be recalled that on 30th December, the Chief Minister had directed the collectors to ensure that no inmates of Missionaries of Charity will suffer, especially from food security and health related issues.”
“Basing on the requests of collectors, the Chief Minister has sanctioned assistance for 13 institutions run by MoC spread over 8 districts. More than 900 inmates in various leprosiums and orphanages in the state will be benefited by this decision.”
The Missionaries of Charity’s head office in Bhubaneswar expressed gratitude for the chief minister’s gesture.
“We are indebted to the chief minister for his support. We never ask for money but people and organisations donate after seeing our welfare work for the helpless and destitute,” said Sister Stany Rose, who heads the organisation in Odisha.
