Odisha launches Rs 100 cr livelihood programme for daily wage workers

Bhubaneswar: To ensure that livelihood of daily wage workers in urban areas is not affected due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the Odisha Government today announced launching of an emergency programme ‘Urban Wage Employment Initiative’ worth Rs 100 crore.

The programmme will generate employment for 4.50 lakh families residing in 114 urban local bodies (ULBs) across the state. With  cooperation of Mission Shakti groups, the programme will be implemented from this month till September this year.

Under the programme, poor, labourers and daily wage workers will be engaged in various works like sanitization of drains, digging and renovation of water bodies, development of playgrounds and various sports infrastructures, construction of public toilets  and beautification of urban ares. Besides, local artistes will be given opportunity for doing  wall paintings/murals.

Wage of the beneficiaries will be directly transferred to their bank accounts every week. However, the workers will be asked to make sure that they maintain social distance and adhere to other guidelines of COVID-19 while working. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hoped that the initiative will be of great help for people of economically backward classes in the state.