Bhubaneswar: The entire country is battling COVID-19 and its impact is now being felt on several sectors including economy, education and health, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday and called for a united fight against the novel coronavirus.
While addressing the people of Odisha on the occasion of 74th Independence Day, Patnaik said that millions of people have lost their livelihood due to COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. The Chief Minister hoisted the Tricolour at Exhibition Ground here in Bhubaneswar and paid tributes to freedom fighters and Covid warriors in his address to the state.
For the first time, the flag hoisting ceremony was held without the participation of public in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Coronavirous can be controlled only after a vaccine comes. But everybody will have to fight the situation bravely to compensate the economic loss during this pandemic,” said Patnaik in his address.
Reiterating that saving each life is the top priority of Odisha government, Patnaik said that dedicated COVID hospitals have been set up in different parts of the State. "Our effort is to ensure no one is deprived of treatment due to lack of money and the government is providing all facilities to COVID-19 patients free of cost," said Patnaik.
The Chief Minister said that at present Odisha is in a comfortable position as far as the fight against COVID-19 is concerned. Odisha's overall COVID-19 recovery rate is high and death rate is lowest in the country, said Patnaik while lauding the efforts of corona warriors.
Highlighting that several economic activities were allowed during the lockdown period which played a crucial role in providing livelihood support and generation of employment, Patnaik said, “Odisha also received investment proposals worth Rs 12000 crore during the period.”
While the agricultural growth in the country during 2019-20 was 2.80%, the growth rate in Odishs stood at 7.61 %, Patnaik added.
(Edited By Pradeep Singh)
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