Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday directed officials to cover workers in 50 more unorganised sectors under the Odisha Unorganised Workers Social Security Board welfare scheme.
With this decision, people working as delivery boys, potters, blacksmiths, pipe mechanics, tailors, barbers, fishermen, and those working in spas, beauty parlours, and saloons, among others, will be covered under the scheme.
At present, workers in ten sectors, including street vendors, small shopkeepers, domestic help, rickshawallahs, auto drivers, agricultural workers, forest workers, newspaper hawkers, and sanitation workers, are availing themselves of the facilities given under the scheme.
The Chief Minister hiked the assistance given to the next of kin of workers registered with the Board in case of death in accidents from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.
Similarly, the assistance given in the event of the natural death of a worker has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
Around 3.65 lakh workers registered with the board are getting the facilities launched on May 1, 2017.
