Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik allocates Rs 60 lakh to provide food to stray animals during lockdown

Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, has approved funds from the Chief Minister Relief Fund for a special purpose. During the current Covid-19 lockdown in parts of the state, this amount of Rs 60 lakh will be used in feeding stray animals.

Odisha, like many other states in the region, has taken steps to disrupt the virus transmission chain. Five metropolitan corporations, 48 municipalities, and 61 notified area councils are enforcing these limits.

The Odisha government made the decision after considering that residents of areas where a lockdown is in effect will be unable to feed stray animals. Volunteers and non-profit organisations can also be used to do this.

The funds will be distributed to the state's five local corporations, 48 municipalities, and 61 NACs. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, and Berhampur municipal corporations will each receive Rs 20,000, while 48 municipalities will receive Rs 5,000 each. During the lockout, each of the 61 NACs will receive Rs 2000 to feed the cattle, dogs, and birds.

Anofficial statement said, “The lockdown is now underway across the state to control the pandemic. Therefore, stray dogs and cattle are deprived of food… The CM has approved sanction of Rs 60 lakh from his relief fund.”

During the lockout, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has enlisted three private organisations to help feed stray animals in the region.

The civic body has enlisted the help of three animal welfare organisations - People for Animal, Rehabitat Foundation, and Alap - to disseminate food to stray animals in three zones of the region.

The Odisha public information department tweeted, "Animals such as stray dogs and cattle are facing a food shortage owing to the lockdown."