Bhubaneswar, Jul 21 - The Orissa government today said it has provided a financial assistance of over Rs 50 lakh(Five Million) for repair of 221 of the 229 churches damaged during the 2008 communal riots in Kandhamal.

"Financial assistance was provided for church repair work following a Supreme Court directive...While the state government sanctioned Rs 51,90,000 for repair of 229 Churches, Rs 50,90,000 had been disbursed to the managing committees of 221 religious establishments," Revenue and Disaster Management minister S N Patro informed.

No temple was damaged in the riot, he said.

Patro said the highest number of 55 Christian places of worship were damaged in Tikabali block followed by 44 in G Udaygiri, 39 in Raikia, 34 in K Nuagaon, 19 in Baliguda, 16 in Daringbadi, nine in Phulbani, six in Kotgarh, five in Tumudibandha and one each in Phiringia and Chakapada blocks.