Odisha’s CM Allots Funds to Feed the Strays during the Lockdown

The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has allotted ₹ 60 lakh for feeding the stray animals during this lockdown period. This amount was allotted from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF). The money will be divided among five municipal corporations, 48 municipalities and 61 NAC’s (Notified Area Council’s) of the state.

The five municipal corporations of the state i.e. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Berhampur will receive ₹20,000 each. The 48 municipalities will receive ₹5000 each and the 61 NAC’s will receive ₹2000 each.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has teamed up with three private animal welfare agencies that provide food to stay animals during the lockdown. This decision was taken by the Municipal Corporation after the CM announced that he will help to feed the strays by allotting funds from the CMRF.

The Municipal Corporation has teamed up with these three private animal welfare agencies to provide food for the strays. The three agencies are - People for Animal, Rehabilitation Foundation and ALAP in Odisha. The three agencies are provided with three vehicles to distribute food and water in the city.

While speaking to the New Indian Express, Deputy Commissioner (animal birth control), Shyama Sundar Sethy stated that around ₹ 20,000 will be spent on a daily basis according to the government’s order. The BMC will monitor this programme.