Odisha CM discusses return of migrants stuck in Gujarat with CM Rupani

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday spoke to his Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani and discussed the safe passage of Odisha migrants workers stuck in the western state amid lockdown.

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday spoke to his Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani and discussed the safe passage of Odisha migrants workers stuck in the western state amid lockdown.

According to reports, the Odisha government has decided to bring back migrant workers from the state who are stranded in Gujarat amid the nationwide lockdown over the novel coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic.

"Since Odisha people are coming back, it should be ensured that they return safely and with complete security, after being registered. However, they should be monitored completely after reaching here," said CM Patnaik at the conference.

"We are planning to send the workers via buses, and they will reach Odisha within three days," responded Gujarat CM.

It has been decided that a coordination committee of four senior officials from both the states will be formed, and they will monitor and ensure the safe return of the stranded migrant workers from Gujarat.

It was also decided that the state governments of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will be requested for waiver of road tax for the buses carrying the migrant labourers from Gujarat.

The talks were held via video conferencing, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was also present in the meeting, reports added.

(with inputs from ANI)