Amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Odisha government on Tuesday convened a high-level meeting to assess the safety and well-being of Non-Resident Odias (NROs) residing in the region.
The meeting was held at the direction of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg. The Chief Minister directed senior officials to undertake necessary preparations and initiate appropriate measures to safeguard Odias living abroad.
Emphasizing heightened vigilance, the Chief Secretary advised all concerned departments to remain prepared and ensure timely action in view of the evolving geopolitical situation.
Helpline Numbers Issued
To facilitate assistance for affected individuals, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has issued:
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24-hour toll-free helpline: 80046342
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WhatsApp helpline: +971543090571
Additionally, the Odisha government has released a dedicated contact number of the Odisha Parivar Independent Nodal Officer: 9583321964.
Joint Working Group Formed
Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj shared details of the state’s initiatives via a post on X. He informed that a joint working group has been constituted to coordinate assistance and ensure timely dissemination of information.
The working group includes:
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Directorate of Odisha Parivar
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State Home Department
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State Labour Directorate
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Organisations working for the welfare of Non-Resident Indians
According to the Minister, the group has been formed keeping in view the wartime emergency in the Middle East to provide support and ensure effective communication with Odias in the affected areas. He urged individuals facing any adverse situation to immediately contact the designated helpline numbers.
The Odisha government has stated that it is closely monitoring developments and remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Odias residing across Middle Eastern countries.
