Bhubaneswar, Apr 18 (IANS): In order to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced an emergency programme of Rs 100 crore to provide livelihood to daily wage workers in urban areas.

The initiative 'Urban Wage Employment Initiative' will benefit about 4.5 lakh families residing in 114 urban local bodies (ULBs) across the state, informed Housing and Urban Development Minister Pratap Jena.

He said it will benefit the economically backward sections of the society living in ULBs of the state.

The initiative will start from April and continue till September 2020. It will continue in association of the Mission Shakti groups.

Several developmental works will be undertaken under this programme. The wage of the beneficiaries will be sent directly to their bank accounts every week.

Jena said the workers will be asked to make sure that they maintain social distance and adhere to other guidelines of COVID-19 while working.