Saswat Singhdeo

Keonjhar: Days after Padma Shri recipient Daitari Naik wished to return his award citing that it affected his livelihood, the Keonjhar district administration has reportedly assured Naik of all necessary help.

Naik, a resident of Baitarani village under Banspal block in the district and a daily wage labourer, had earlier said that he failed to get any work after receiving the prestigious award.

"The construction work of the house allotted to Naik under Indira Awas Yojana has already begun. I have been directed by the Block Development Officer to oversee the work. The work will be completed soon," said Block Assistant Engineer of Banspal, Surendra Kumar Jena.

As per reports, on the direction of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a team of BJP recently visited Naik's house to take stock of his condition.

The 70-year-old Daitari had made headlines after he single-handedly carved out a 3-km-long canal from a mountain stream with a hoe and a crowbar to water agricultural fields in his village.

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