To help the daily wage workers in urban areas who have been affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, the State Government on Saturday announced launching of an emergency programme ‘Urban Wage Employment Initiative’ with a provision of Rs 100 crore.
The programmme would generate employment for 4.50 lakh families residing in the 114 urban local bodies (ULBs) across the State. With cooperation of the Mission Shakti groups, the programme would be implemented from this month till September this year.
Under the programme, poor people, labourers and daily wage workers would be engaged in various works like sanitisation of drains, digging and renovation of water bodies, development of playgrounds and various sports infrastructures, construction of public toilets and beautification of the urban areas. Besides, local artists would be given opportunity for doing wall paintings and murals.
However, all of them would make sure that they maintain social distancing and adhere to other guidelines of COVID-19 while working.
The beneficiaries’ wages would be directly transferred to their bank accounts every week.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hoped that the initiative would be of great help for the people of economically backward classes.