Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced a humanitarian roadmap to facilitate return of people of Odisha stranded outside the States, after the ongoing lockdown restrictions are lifted. He also granted Collector’s power to the Sarpanchs to effectively manage the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic in village levels.
This will be done through community based monitoring system involving Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), said Patnaik in a video message.
“Plight of lakhs of Odia people, be it pilgrims, students or migrants who are currently stranded in other States amid the ongoing lockdown gives me pain despite help being provided by the respective State Governments. After lifting of lockdown restrictions, we will begin efforts to bring them back,” added patnaik.
“To implement this effectively and with a humane touch, Odisha Government, in a historic decision, is delegating powers of the District Collectors to Sarpanchs in GPs for their jurisdiction,” said Patnaik.
Maintaining that extraordinary situations call for extraordinary solutions, Patnaik said, “Those who want to return to Odisha must register before they return. Relatives and friends can register with the GP. Returnees will stay in free of cost Quarantine facilities for 14 days. On completion of quarantine, they’ll be given 2000 as incentive.”
