Naveen Patnaik discusses return plan of stranded Odias with counterparts in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday reached out to his counterparts in Karnataka BS Yediyurappa and in Andhra Pradesh YS Jaganmohan Reddy to discuss about safe return plan of the stranded people from both the southern states.
During two separate videoconferencings, Naveen sought cooperation of both the chief ministers as nearly two lakh Odias including migrant workers, students, professionals and pilgrims are stuck in both the states.
“Those who want to come back to Odisha, should be facilitated while those who wants to stay in Karnataka/Andhra Pradesh should do so,” said Naveen during videoconferencing.
While complimenting both the chief ministers of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for effectively managing the situation, the Odisha chief minister also expressed gratitude for taking care of the Odia people during lockdown.
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who also attended the videoconferencing from New Delhi requested both the chief ministers to ensure that those who want to return to Odisha must register with the state government’s portal.
It has been decided in the meeting that chief secretaries of Odisha and Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh would meet through videoconferencing to discuss the standard protocol for safe and dignified return of Odia peoples.
On behalf of the state government, chief secretary Asit Tripathy requested that those returning to state should be screened. Tripathy said it is not advisable for people with influenza like conditions to travel with general people.
The Karnataka CM assured that his government will appoint a nodal officer for coordinating return of Odia people. Both Yediyurappa and Jaganmohan also lauded the Odisha CM for containing Covid-19 in Odisha.
The Andhra Pradesh chief minister showered praise on Naveen during the VC. “You have been a source of inspiration to us all. Being youngsters, we take inspiration from you,” said Jagan.
As a large number of stranded Odia people are expected to travel back to the state by road and rail, the state government has made elaborate plan to receive them and ensure their mandatory quarantine for 14 days.
The state government has identified 11 border check points for those travelling by road form different directions.
A joint team of officers will examine the registration status of the returnees at the border check points.
“The returnees will be stamped with indelible ink on the right inner forearm with date of entry. The authorities will also affix a transit pass on the windscreen of the vehicles specifying the destination and route which will be considered as permit,” said the chief secretary.
The chief secretary directed various departments like police, transport authorities and health to operate as a team at the border check points.
The state government has given option of home quarantine or paid quarantine for 14-days for people returning to urban areas and for certain categories of people like students, professionals, children, transgenders, Divyangs and pregnant and lactating mothers in rural areas. Others will be placed in the state-funded quarantine centres at the gram panchayat level.
Quarantine stickers will be affixed on the residence of returnees, who would be allowed for home quarantine while they will be monitored strictly by the quarantine authorities on a daily basis.
State Home Secretary Sanjeev Chopra has been appointed as the state nodal officer for coordinating with various states for the return of stranded people. Senior officers have also been appointed to coordinate with different states.
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