Odisha announces Rs 134 cr package to check migration

The Odisha government on Wednesday announced a special package of Rs 134 crore to check the migration problem in Bolangir and Nuapada districts that have been hit by severe drought.

Holding a review meeting in Bolangir, Labour Minister Sushant Singh announced the package for 30 gram panchayats of Bolangir and Nuapada districts.

The two districts were adopted as model districts for the programme.

"Massive drought was witnessed in Balangir, Nuapada, Sonepur, Bargarh and Kalahandi districts this year. Therefore, there is the possibility of increase in migrant labour in these districts," said the Minister.

He said the state government has sanctioned the special package for 30 gram panchayats of the two districts on the first phase to create employment in the villages to arrest the migration issue.

"Financial assistance will be sanctioned to other gram panchayats in a phased manner. The initiative will be replicated in other districts once it becomes successful," said Singh.

Labour Secretary Anu Garg, Commissioner Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav and the collectors of five districts, including Bolangir, Kalahandi, Sonepur, Nuapada and Bargarh districts attended the meeting.

--IANS

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