The Odisha cabinet presided over by the chief minister virtually from Japan on Sunday decided to establish a “Directorate of Odisha Paribar” to create a one-stop point of contact and support system for Pravasi Odias who live in other parts of the country and across the world.

In a press release, the Odisha government said: “It will work as a single point of interface with the government departments for the resolution of specific issues relating to labour, students., cultural promotions and clearances."

The “Directorate of Odisha Paribar” will enlist Odia associations in different parts of India and foreign countries and form partnerships with them to promote Odia language, culture, heritage, tourism, sports, handlooms and handicrafts.

“It will also work to promote Odia's economic and skill networking to harness investment opportunities in Odisha and job opportunities for Odia people. It will also reach out to the NROSs in distress and provide possible support,” the release said.

There will be an advisory council headed by the chief minister which will guide the directorate. The members of the council are to be nominated by the state government.

There will be an executive committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to provide strategic directions andreview the activities of the directorate.

Citing the need for it, the government said: “Some governments in India have set up dedicated bodies to look after the interest and welfare of their non-resident citizens. While the government of Odisha has been engaging with these Pravasi Odias’ in different ways and circumstances, there is a felt need for a single point for the people of Odisha to stay both within and outside the country with the state government. This will strengthen the relations between NROs and the state government and its people through an organised liaisoning framework.”

The release said, “During his country trip to Japan, the chief minister met people from Odisha who requested for having a formal mechanism whereby the efforts of people of Odisha in spreading the Odia language, literature art culture including the Jagannath culture could be made more effective.|

It further said: “The state government, therefore, proposes to establish a Directorate of Odisha Paribar under the department of language, literature, and culture to have a better connection with the Pravasi Odias within the country and across the world.

The directorate will engage with the diaspora in the growth journey of Odisha by leveraging their knowledge, skills, and global rich while also making efforts to resolve any issuesthey may be facing.”