Amaravati, May 2 (IANS): With the stage set for the return of migrant workers and people stranded in other states, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday, held discussions with his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik.

During a video conference on Saturday, the two Chief Ministers discussed the issue of shifting migrant workers from Andhra to Odisha and vice-versa. The two bordering states have extensive business and trade interaction between people of the two states. A large number of migrant workers from Odisha are employed in the agricultural and aquaculture sector of Andhra Pradesh. Many of them are employed in SMEs and construction projects as well.

The AP Chief Minister informed Naveen Patnaik that nearly 20,000 people from Odisha are staying in Andhra Pradesh, of whom 1,900 of them are currently lodged in relief camps. Stating that the persons in the relief camps have expressed interest to be sent back to Odisha, Jagan Mohan Reddy said: "All arrangements are being made for their transport to Odisha. The state government will make sure to provide better facilities for those opting to remain in AP."

Naveen Patnaik thanked Jagan Mohan Reddy for his government's support to Odisha people stranded in AP and appreciated the efforts put up by the State in controlling the Covid-19.

During the course of the video conference with Naveen Patnaik, Jagan Mohan Reddy also raised the issue of the return of Andhra migrant workers, students, professionals, pilgrims, and tourists stuck in Odisha, due to the 40-day lockdown.

Union petroleum and steel minister Dharmendra Pradhan joined the video conference from Delhi and applauded the efforts in taking care of migrant workers in the state.