Odisha CM Releases Special COVID Assistance For PVTG Families

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday provided special COVID-19 assistance of Rs 5,000 to particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) families through virtual mode. The assistance will be transferred to the bank account of 64,214 beneficiaries in Odisha.

Naveen said “more than 300 people belonging to PVTG group were infected by the virus and were provided with ration kit worth Rs 2,250. They were also provided Rs 1,400 as labour compensation.”

He called upon the PVTGs families to get vaccinated against COVID and abide by the norms of social distancing and wearing masks.

The CM also provided pre-matric scholarship to 60,000 SC and ST students for April, May and June. Each girl student will get Rs 2,400 while each boy student has been provided with scholarship of Rs 2,250. A total of 5 lakh students will get scholarship in a phase-wise manner.

Minister for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Tribes Jagannath Sarka, Skill Development Minister Premananda Nayak, Chitrakonda and Karanjia MLAs were also present.

Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra, Principal Secretary, SC/ST Department Ranjana Chopra, Development Commissioner and Chief Minister’s Secretary (5T) VK Pandian were also present.