Given the extent of damage and destruction, there should be an authority where the Centre and state government could work together to achieve various long-term measures needed to tackle the situation arising out of the October 29 super cyclone, chairman of the task force and Defence Minister, George Fernandes said today.

Fernandes, who reviewed the relief work at a high-level meeting with the Orissa government on his arrival here this morning, later made an aerial survey of the affected districts to assess the prevailing situation.

The defence minister told newsmen here that the task force would prepare a comprehensive short, medium and long-term action plan for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Ithad the mandate to recommend the mode of implementation of the plan including funding and participation of governmental and non-governmental agencies.