Attending a function of Ama Odisha Ama Nabin at Raighar in the district, Pandian spoke on the government’s measures to ameliorate the condition of the workers at the grasroots level.

Considering the contributions of Anganwadi and Asha workers in the field, the government is working on increasing their salary soon. The cooks working in Anganwadi centres will also get more monthly incentives, he added.

Besides, the salary hike of community centre employees, master book-keepers (MBKs) under livelihood mission and ANMs are under consideration of the government. At the same time, the monthly pension for old people under Madhubabu Pension scheme will be increased, he added.

The meeting was attended by around 10,000 people of Umerkot Assembly constituency in the district.

During a visit to the Pilgrim Town on the day, Pandian reviewed the progress of the heritage corridor works with the officials of the project.

During the review meeting, he suggested preservation of all small temples and restoration of the mutts in the area under project. He also asked them to speed up the landscaping on three sides of the temple wall, electrification and sanitation works and effluent treatment plant in time.

Reviewing the arrangements for the devotees, Pandian stressed on hassle-free darshan for them. He directed to keep all the approaching roads to the temple free of encroachment and provide parking space for two-wheelers of the servitors.

MLA Pranab Prakash Das, Puri collector and SP, OBCC MD and officials of the executing agencies of the project accompanied Pandian during his visit.