Bhubaneswar, Aug. 1: The state government has come up with a new guideline to ease the process of sanctioning money from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

According to the guideline issued by the general administration department, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation commissioner is now empowered to sanction up to Rs 30,000 to distressed persons within the municipal limits.

Similarly, the corporation's officers of the deputy commissioner rank would also be authorised to sanction up to Rs 10,000 according to the need of the person and eligibility for the fund.

The civic body has formed a committee under its additional commissioner to scrutinise the application.

People including the poor, persons in distress, aged, disabled, orphans, those affected by calamities or violence and heat wave victims are eligible to avail financial assistance under the fund.

According to the new guideline, an eligible person can download the application from the fund's official website and approach the municipal commissioner office during the work hours from Monday to Friday. The new scrutiny committee will do their job on each Monday for sanctioning of the funds.

"The new guideline will help the needy since they will not have to rush from pillar to post to get the funds. The new guideline has been framed to achieve this. I hope that the people in need will draw enough aid from this," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.