Odisha launches employment scheme for urban poor

A senior bureaucrat said that the initiative will involve “labour-intensive work such as maintenance and upgradation of toilets and water infrastructure” in ULBs, while maintaining social distancing. He also added that the initiative will try to support local artisans through projects such as wall painting and murals in urban areas.

Law Minister Pratap Jena told reporters: “Rural areas have employment and development projects, such as MGNREGS, but urban areas do not. This project will try to address this gap”.

Last month, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced a Rs 2,200-crore package, under which all the beneficiaries of the food security act would receive three months ration in advance.

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