BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated on Friday that his government will cover the costs of transporting Odisha students and workers stuck in Ukraine.

P.K. Jena, Development Commissioner-cum-Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), has been directed by Patnaik to look into the matter. Jena would be in charge of coordinating the overall issue of bringing folks back from Odisha. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) also stated that the Resident Commissioner in Delhi will coordinate with the Indian government on this issue.

In this time of crisis, the Chief Minister has also directed the district administration to collect information on students and workers in Ukraine and to effectively coordinate with their families. 

The Chief Minister had discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier in the day.  A large number of Odisha residents are stranded in Ukraine, many of whom are students. 

In the meantime, the Odisha government has established a special cell in Delhi and appointed a nodal officer to ensure the safe return of Odisha's citizens. "A Special Assistance Cell has been established in the office of the Resident Commissioner of Odisha, Odisha Bhawan, New Delhi, to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and other concerned agencies to ensure the safe and prompt return of stranded citizens of Odisha in Ukraine," the Home department said in an order.

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