Odisha exempts Agriculture and MGNREGS activities from 2nd phase Lockdown
Bhubaneswar: With a view to ease the hardships faced by the farmers and labourers, the Odisha government on Monday exempted Agriculture and allied activities from the second phase lockdown.
“Agriculture & allied activities like the movement of agri-machineries, the opening of cold storages & application for crop loan exempted from 2nd phase lockdown restrictions starting from April 15. All kinds of fisheries & allied activities and veterinary activities would also continue as usual” said Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena.
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“ The activities under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) would also continue in the state to ensure livelihood opportunities to the rural poor. Construction of individual asset projects like rural housing & toilet construction under SBM would also continue” Mr Jena said during a press conference.
He also informed that the state government has permitted plantation and related activities and construction and repair of water bodies in forests for wildlife during the lockdown. Mission Shakti activities will also continue in the state during this period.
While the central government is actively planning to extend the lockdown period for another two weeks, Odisha has already extended the lockdown period till April 30. Last week Odisha became the first state of the country to extend the lockdown for another two weeks.
Odisha’s number of COVID19 cases has increased to 54 till Monday, including 40 active cases, one fatality and 13 recoveries. The state has already tested 4170 samples, of which 4116 are negative.