By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 23, 2021: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced a financial aid of Rs 6,000 for every newspaper hawker to help them tide over the COVID-19 crisis.

Hawkers would also be given financial cover for accidents, Patnaik said.

In case of death due to accident, the government will pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation to the family.

Hawkers will be entitled to anything between Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000 if left incapacitated.

Also, families of newspaper hawkers, who die of natural causes, would be given Rs 1 lakh as compensation, the CM stated.

Odisha is the “first state in the country to offer COVID-19 assistance for newspaper hawkers,” a release from the Chief Minister’s office said.

As many as 7,300 newspaper hawkers, who have been registered under the state’s Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board, will get the benefits, officials said.

The state will incur an expenditure of Rs 4.38 crore for the purpose, they said.

Patnaik, after making the announcement, said the hawkers have undertaken risks amid the pandemic to deliver newspapers and their hard work should be acknowledged and appreciated.

A database of the eligible hawkers was being prepared by the Information and Public Relations Department, and each beneficiary will soon be provided with an identity card, the Chief Minister said.