No Shortage Of Essential Items During Lockdown In Odisha, Assures Kumar

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday assured its people that there will be no shortage of essential goods in the state during the three-week lockdown which has been implemented to contain spread of coronavirus.

Surendra Kumar, principal secretary, Water Resources, informed that following the PM’s announcement of a 21-day nationwide lockdown with effect from March 24 midnight, the state government had immediately formed a high-powered committee to monitor goods and services. The seven-member committee, headed by the principal secretary, Water Resources, also includes principal secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Transport Commissioner, commissioner of Commercial Taxes, commissioner-cum-secretary, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, Director, Special Projects of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, and an officer of the rank of Additional Director General (ADG) of the Odisha Police (to be nominated by the Director General of Police).

The objective of the committee was to assess requirements and monitor the flow of goods, take immediate action to remove bottlenecks, if any, and create a platform for traders and transporters to air their problems and resolve those quickly.

“Following the decision of the committee, the state government allowed seamless movement of transport vehicles in Odisha and across the border for the supply of essential items without the pass,” Kumar said.

The committee, and then district collectors, held a meeting with traders and transport bodies to redress their grievances.

Kumar requested the people to spend as much time as possible in their homes. “I request the people that instead of visiting the nearby market every day, they should visit twice a week,” he suggested.