Acknowledging the important role that newspaper hawkers play in dissemination of information and news, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced a social security scheme for them.

The scheme that offers financial compensation to the nearest kin of the hawkers in the event of their natural or accidental death will benefit hawkers registered under the Odisha Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board.

Under the scheme, the kin of registered hawkers will be provided with accidental death benefit of Rs 2 lakh and natural death benefit of Rs 1 lakh. Besides, Rs 1.5 lakh compensation will be provided to hawkers in case of complete disability caused by an accident. In case of partial disability, a hawker will be provided with Rs 80,000, if he/she loses both limbs in any mishap and Rs 40,000 for loss of one limb.

Keeping in view the financial problems the hawkers are facing owing to the pandemic, the state government has also decided to provide special financial assistance of Rs 3,000 to each hawker in two phases. The assistance will be released from the CM’s Relief Fund.

“As they face several difficulties while discharging their duty, it has been decided to construct proper worksheds at district and sub-division levels for them,” said an official statement issued by the chief minister’s office.