Odisha CM sanctions COVID package for street vendors for 3rd time

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced COVID financial assistance of Rs 3,000 for each street vendor in urban areas for third time amidst the pandemic.

Stating that the pandemic has badly hit their livelihoods, Patnaik sanctioned an amount of over Rs 30 crore from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) as COVID-19 assistance for over one lakh street vendors in urban areas across the state.

Besides, the CM also announced that the Government has decided to create vending zones in 70 urban areas across the state with an investment of Rs 60 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik said, “Roadside or street vendors play a key role in the urban economy. But they have financially suffered a lot due to COVID-19 induced lockdowns. The financial assistance is meant to protect their livelihoods. The state Government has always stood by you.”

Also Read: Odisha CM sanctions over Rs 26 crore for pandemic-hit street vendors 

Earlier in June this year, the CM had sanctioned an amount of Rs 26.29 crore as Covid-19 assistance for 87,657 street vendors in urban areas to deal with the COVID-19 lockdown. Last year, the state government had announced financial assistance worth Rs 3,000 each to over 65,000 street vendors across 114 urban local bodies