Odisha CM announces Rs 100 cr package for 450,000 urban poor families

The wages of every beneficiary will be credited directly to the bank account every week, he said, adding that the programme will be implemented by strictly adhering to the social distancing norms

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced a Rs 100 crore package to provide livelihood support to around 4.5 lakh urban poor families affected by the lockdown imposed across the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Urban Wage Employment Initiative will help sustain the livelihood of the poor families residing in 114 urban local body areas of the state, an official in the Chief Minister's Office said.

The programme, which will be implemented in association with the Mission Shakti Department, will continue till September in order to create livelihood opportunities for workers, labourers and daily wagers, he said.