The Odisha Government has issued the orders empowering the Sarpanches in the Gram Panchayats with the powers of the District Collectors in their jurisdictions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, reports Livemint.

Announcing the decision, Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik emphasised that the 14-day quarantine period is vital to protect the returnees and their families. He underscored that it was to ensure the effective implementation of the same that the State government took the decision to confer the powers of District Collectors on the Sarpanches.

The decision was taken under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 read with the Odisha COVID-19 regulations, 2020.

CM Patnaik also shared that the people from Odisha who are stranded in other States and wish to return to their home state will be brought back post the lifting of the nationwide lockdown.

However, once that happens, the returnees will have to undergo a 14-day period of quarantine and mandatorily register themselves at their respective panchayats with help from their families or friends.

CM Patnaik also said that all the expenses during the period of quarantine will be taken care of by the State Government. He also shared that upon the completion of the quarantine period, the government would incentivise such persons with Rs 2,000.