Odisha CM announces social security net for newspaper hawkers

Bhubaneswar: In recognition of the key role and struggle of hawkers in dissemination of information and news, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a social security scheme for the newspaper distributors.

The scheme will benefit newspaper hawkers, who are registered under the Odisha Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board.

Under the scheme, the kin of hawkers will be provided with accidental death benefit of Rs 2 lakh and natural death benefit of Rs 1 lakh. Besides, Rs 1.5 lakh compensation will be provided to hawkers in case of complete disability due to any accident. In case of partial disability, a hawker will be provided with Rs 80,000, if he/she loses both limbs in any mishap and Rs 40,000 for loss of one limb.

Also Read: Odisha’s first woman football captain now a newspaper hawker   

Keeping in view their financial instability owning to COVID-19 pandemic, the state Government has also decided to provide special financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to each hawker in two phases. The monetary assistance will be released from the CM’s Relief Fund.

“As they face several difficulties while discharging their duty, it has been decided to construct proper worksheds at district and sub-division levels for them. Also, the CM has directed the Information and Public Relation ( I & PR) Department to prepare a digital database of hawkers at state and district levels and provide them ID cards,” said an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).