Naveen Patnaik asks BJD MLAs to extend all helps to JEE and NEET aspirants
During a video conferencing with the BJD legislators, CM said all the students are “our family members”.
BHUBANESWAR: BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday asked his party MLAs to extend all possible helps to the students appearing for the JEE Main and the NEET in view of double disasters like Covid-19 pandemic and flood in 20 districts.
During a video conferencing with the BJD legislators, Naveen said all the students are “our family members”.
“Keeping in mind the pandemic and flood situation, I had requested the Centre to postpone the JEE Main and NEET examinations. But these examinations have not been postponed. Students are the future of our country and state. So, it is our duty to ensure that candidates from your constituencies can attend examinations in a hassle-free manner,” said Naveen during the videoconferencing.
The state government has earlier announced to facilitate free transportation and accommodation for the aspirants of the JEE Main to be held during September 1 to September 6 and NEET on September 13.
Reiterating that 4.5 crore people of the state are his family, Naveen asked the Odisha-Mo Parivar, a social welfare initiative of the BJD, to ensure full cooperation so that students will not face any difficulties in appearing the national level examinations.
As per directive of the BJD president, Odisha-Mo Parivar said it will set up help desks, where volunteers will be stationed for all the six days from 7 am till 6:30 pm to help the students.
“Sanitizers, water bottles, biscuit packets will be made available to the candidates, as well as their relatives near the examination centres. Our representatives are coordinating with all the district administrations to resolve logistic issues of students,” said Arup Patnaik, convener, Odisha-Mo Parivar.
The party has also assigned 10 senior leaders including senior MLAs and former MLAs to coordinate with students and their relatives for any kind of assistance.
Naveen, during the videoconferencing, also spoke about the steps taken by his government to manage the pandemic and economic situation in the state.
Stating that Odisha has been fighting the pandemic with all force, the chief minister lauded the service and commitment of Covid warriors. “It is my request that you should remain with the people and our Covid warriors at this crucial time,” said Naveen.
The chief minister said though Covid-19 situation in Ganjam has improved, more efforts are needed to control the pandemic in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Naveen informed the MLAs of sanctioning Rs 1 crore under MLA local area development fund for each of the MLAs and said the money can be utilized for procuring masks from women self-help group members. He also asked MLAs to ensure coverage of all genuine beneficiaries under food security schemes.
As more than 14 lakh people are affected by flood in 20 districts, Naveen asked his MLAs to help the affected people.