Odisha eases norms for movement of workers

Bhubaneswar: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the Odisha government today relaxed lockdown norms for inter-district movement of workers to put the livelihood and economy back on track.

Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said the government has allowed agricultural, industrial and construction activities in red, orange and green zones of the State. Normal labour intensive works will continue in both rural and urban areas of the districts and Municipal Corporations coming under Green and Orange Zones, he added.

Also all sorts of labour intensive works are permitted in the rural areas of the districts and Municipal Corporations under Red Zone.

Construction works in urban and Municipal Corporations areas under Red Zone will be carried on if required number of workers is available in those areas. In such urban areas under Red Zone, workers from outside shall not be permitted, said Jena.

Sources said the Odisha government has decided to formulate a model policy to resolve the problems faced by industries due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

It was decided at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on COVID-19 situation in the state.

Discussions will be held regarding the problems faced by the industries with Chamber of Indian Industries, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Banks as early as possible, said the sources.

(WIth agency inputs)