Odisha Channel Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal will conduct a month-long awareness campaign from Gandhi Jayanti for sensitising people on use of mask, hand washing, social distancing and following COVID-19 guidelines.
This was announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the BJD Legislature Party meeting ahead of the State Assembly session which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
“Proud of our frontline COVID warriors who sacrificed their lives for the people of Odisha. We salute their heroic deeds and selfless sacrifice,” said Patnaik in his address.
The Chief Minister thanked the 4.5 crore people of Odisha who stood with the State government and showed great resilience in the face of this unprecedented pandemic.
“With support of COVID warriors and people of Odisha, the State has one of the highest recovery rates in the country, saves maximum people in the country with low fatality rates,” said Patnaik.
He said that Odisha pioneered setting up of dedicated COVID hospitals, Temporary Medical Camps and empowered gram panchayats that played a vital role in COVID management.
“From food in TMCs to accommodation, testing, lodging, transport, treatment, plasma therapy everything is provided free of cost to COVID patients in the State,” said the Chief Minister.
He said that the State government has fixed a target to provide 20 crore mandays under NREGS, while focussing on lending to farmers, women SHGs and MSMEs to further kick start the economy.
Assurance to farmers
Stating that the BJD is in favour of any initiative that will bring prosperity in the lives of farmers, Patnaik said the party will continue its fight for implementation of M. S. Swaminathan Commission recommendation for formulating minimum support price which will really help the farmers at large.
Patnaik said that BJD raised its concerns in both houses of Parliament regarding protection of farmers’ interest in the farmers bill and suggested for close scrutiny by Parliamentary Committee.
The BJD will form a Committee of MLAs, MPs and leading farmer’s leaders to study the provisions, he said, while assuring the farmers that their welfare will be paramount in any of his party’s interventions.
