Bhubaneswar: Further stepping up its efforts to fight the novel coronavirus, the Odisha Government on Wednesday emphasized on massive awareness drive and quarantine facilities in the rural areas to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In a high level meeting held at the Lok Seva Bhawan here, Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy called for intensifying the awareness on COVID-19 in districts and rural pockets in the State. The Chief Secretary urged the Collectors of all districts, PDs of DRDAs and BDOs via video conferencing to take necessary steps to create awareness among the people on the coronavirus.
Speaking on the occasion, 5T Secretary VK Pandian advised the officials to make people aware extensively about the preventive measures, advisory and guidelines of the government on COVID-19.
At the meeting, it has been decided that the State Government will provide the beneficiaries of three months of advanced old age pension and ration items. Besides, dry food items will be provided at Anganwadis for children.
Besides, the State Government has also decided to provide Rs 5 lakh to each panchayat to keep a shelter home ready with water, electricity, and toilets for preventing coronavirus.