Naveen Patnaik Empowers Panchayats To Monitor COVID19

Bhubaneswar : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Sunday, announced that a scientific and technology based system would be adapted to facilitate the return of lakhs of students, professionals, stranded pilgrims & patients and large number of workers from other states to Odisha after the lockdown due to COVID-19 is lifted.

In view of the magnitude of the exercise, the administration would adopt a decentralised approach with a humane touch. 

Here are some of the key points from the Chief Minister’s address – 

👉Every Gram Panchayat/Urban Local Body will have a Registration Facility to facilitate return of the people.

👉Family members or relatives of such people, who intend to return to the State, will register with the facility at the concerned Gram Panchayat or Urban Local Body. The date of registration and further details will be notified shortly. 

On return from outside Odisha, they shall have to compulsorily stay in the Panchayat level Quarantine Facility for 14 days.

👉Urban Local Body (ULB) shall order such persons to be quarantined either at home or at appropriate quarantine facility. During their mandatory quarantine at GP/ULB level Quarantine Facility, they will be provided with accommodation, food and treatment if required free of cost. On successful completion of quarantine, Rs. 2000 will be given to each such person as incentive.

👉During the period of quarantine such people would be bound by the orders and directives of the Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat or the Urban Local Body Authority in the matters of maintaining Social Distancing, use of Face Masks , prohibition of paan, gutkha, and spitting and such other restrictions for prevention of spread of Corona Virus.

👉In case of violation, Sarpanch or such other authorities of Urban Local Bodies shall have the powers to file prosecution under Section 51 of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Section 188 of Indian Penal Code.