Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government included more beneficiaries under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana, bringing immense cheer to the social security pension aspirants in the state.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sanctioned the pension under the scheme for additional 4.13 lakh aspirants, a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated today.

The approval has been made on the basis of Mo Sarkar's feedback and grievances received by the CMO during visit of 5T Secretary VK Pandian to districts across the state.

With this, the target of Madhu Babu Pension Yojana has been enhanced to 32.75 lakh. Earlier 28.61 lakh beneficiaries were getting benefits under the scheme.

All the newly sanctioned beneficiaries will get their first pension amount on 15th August, 2023 i.e. JANASEVA DIWAS at the Gram Panchayat headquarters or Ward Offices in the presence of elected representatives, the CMO release said.

All Collectors have been advised to ensure the smooth disbursement of pensions to the beneficiaries in camp mode.

The state government provides social security pension to 28.61 lakh (28,61,195) beneficiaries under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) at Rs. 500/-, Rs. 700/- and Rs. 900/- per month.

Beneficiaries such as older persons, widows, persons with disabilities, unmarried women, cured leprosy patients, AIDS patients identified by OSACS, divorcee/destitute, transgender persons, widows, orphan children of COVID affected families and other vulnerable people are covered under this scheme.

In MBPY, between the age group 0-79 years, beneficiaries of different categories get pension Rs. 500/- per month whereas beneficiaries of the age 80 years and above receive Rs. 700/- per month.

Likewise, under this scheme beneficiaries with 40-59% disability receive Rs. 500/- per month and beneficiaries with 60% and above disability receive Rs. 700/- per month; whereas beneficiaries with 60% and above disability and aged 80 years and above receive Rs. 900/- per month.

Inclusion of these 4.13 lakh new beneficiaries will help strengthen social security system of the state.

Worth mentioning that as per the direction of CM Naveen Patnaik, Secretary to CM (5T) Shri VK Pandian and other senior officers of CMO are visiting districts to review development projects and listen to people’s grievances at the grassroots level. This outreach from CMO has been helping to sort out issues at a much faster rate.