Sarpanchs To Get Collector’s Powers For Effective COVID-19 Management; Rs 2000 Incentive For Returnees

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said that Odisha will hold talks with the central and other state governments to ensure safe return of students, pilgrims, professionals, labourers and patients, hailing from this eastern state of India, stranded at different places, after the lockdown period ends on May 3.

Stating that life is not normal for them despite efforts being made by Odisha government and other states, he unveiled a humanitarian roadmap for those lakhs of people waiting to return to Odisha.

The Chief Minister stressed on a decentralised approach and involvement of urban local bodies and gram panchayats in the process, considering the the magnitude of the exercise.

In a video message, Naveen said it is now mandatory for those eager to return to the state to register at the gram panchayats. “Their relatives can also register on their behalf. The returnees will be kept in quarantine for 14 days at the panchayat. They will be provided treatment, food and accommodation for free and Rs 2000 as incentive at the end of the quarantine period,” he said.

To ensure mandatory registration of the returnees and for effective management of COVID-19, sarpanchs will be given the powers of a collector and the law has been changed accordingly, he said.

Also Read: Stranded In Kota: Students, Parents Appeal To Odisha CM To Ensure Their Safe Return

This will help to track and monitor the returnees effectively, he added.