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By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, May 1, 2017 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday unveiled a special action plan for welfare of the labourers working in various sectors on the occasion of International Labour Day.

Inaugurating the state level International Labour Day and Construction Workers Service Week 2017, he announced that low cost houses will be constructed in 21 places for the labourers in the state. The labour week will be observed from May 1 to 7.

Addressing a public function organised at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Patnaik said, “The labourers are our power and they are behind in development of all the sectors. Therefore, the state government is committed for rights and welfare of labourers and the programmes will continue for protection of their rights”.

The state government has prepared an action plan worth Rs 134 crore to curb labour migration and for their rehabilitation, he revealed.

Over 18 lakh construction workers have been registered so far in the state. The government has provided Rs 389 crore to more than 7 lakh labourers as assistance under several programmes. The assistance centre has been set up for Non-resident Odia workers in various states.

During the programme, Patnaik inaugurated a help centre for the migratory workers in Telangana through video conferencing. He also launched Workers Welfare Board for the labourers working in organised sectors and Unorganised Social Security Board for the labourers working in unorganised sectors.

Patnaik also laid foundation stone through video conferencing for construction of temporary shelter houses in Cuttack, Jajpur, Paradip and Berhampur. Prior to the programme, he had laid foundation stone for three temporary shelter houses at Kharvela Nagar in Bhubaneswar.

Incidentally, the state government has programme for construction of 1700-bed shelter houses in 21 places of Odisha. The National Child Labour project has been expanded to remaining six districts — Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Boudh, Phulbani, Bhadrak and Puri — for making Odisha a child-labour free state.