COVID-19: 4-month social security allowance to be paid in advance in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Government’s allowance for elderly persons, widows and physically-challenged persons will be paid in advance in Odisha in view of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak, said Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability Minister Ashok Chandra Panda today.

The allowances will be paid in advance this month for the months of April, May, June and July. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has issued a directive in this regard, Panda said.

Around 28 lakh beneficiaries of Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and same number of beneficiaries of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) in the state will be benefited with the decision, he said.

The aim of the move is to prevent the beneficiaries, especially elderly persons, from coronavirus contamination, sources said.