Bhubaneswar, December 31: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said that a memorial would be constructed in Bhubaneswar in honour of frontline COVID-19 workers who laid down their lives during the course of their duty.

Patnaik, while talking to family members of fallen COVID warriors over a video conference, said their "hard work and devotion would not go in vain and victory against the coronavirus pandemic was certain". Odisha: Naveen Patnaik Govt Withdraws Order Mandating Aadhaar Verification for Monthly Social Security Pension From August 2020.

Chief Secretary A K Tripathy, during the meeting, said Odisha has successfully managed to tackle the COVID-19 situation, despite the return of around 10 lakh migrant workers to the state during the lockdown. The CM assured the families that his government would stand by them during times of need.

It was due to the dedicated service of frontline workers, including doctors, nurses, police personnel, teachers and all those engaged in COVID-19 management, the state could save scores of lives, Patnaik added.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, P K Mohapatra, said as many as 101 COVID warriors have so far sacrificed their lives fighting the pandemic.

"Ninety-six families have already been provided with Rs 50 lakh financial assistance. Five other families would also be receiving the aid in the next two days," Mohapatra said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)