Odisha Forms Emergency Working Group to Protect Pravasi Odias Amid West Asia Crisis

Bhubaneswar, March 3: In response to the escalating war situation in West Asia, the Odisha government has constituted a dedicated emergency working group to safeguard the interests of Pravasi Odias residing in the affected region.

The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg following directions from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The meeting focused on assessing the evolving situation and initiating precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Odia residents abroad.

The working group has been formed in coordination with the Odisha Parivar Directorate, the Home Department, the State Labour Directorate and the office of the Protector of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs. The initiative aims to establish streamlined communication and rapid response mechanisms in case of emergencies.

To facilitate effective coordination with the Odia diaspora, Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty at the Directorate of Odisha Paribar, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, has been designated as the single point of contact.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed all concerned departments to closely monitor developments in West Asia and remain fully prepared to respond promptly if required.

The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a 24×7 toll-free helpline (800-46342) and a WhatsApp helpline (+971 543090571) to assist Indian nationals in the affected areas.

Director General of Police Y B Khurania, who was present at the meeting, stated that authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation. He said officials concerned have been placed on alert and that strict monitoring of social media platforms is underway to prevent misinformation and ensure timely action.

The review meeting was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma, Director of Intelligence R P Koche, and Director of Odisha Mo Parivar Directorate and Labour Commissioner Indramani Tripathy, along with other senior officials.

The state government reiterated its commitment to extending all possible support to Pravasi Odias and ensuring their safety during the ongoing crisis.