Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has increased the financial aid provided by the Harischandra Yojana to support the poor and destitute in carrying out the last rites of their family members.

The financial assistance for rural areas has been raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000, while for urban and Puri Swargadwar, it has been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000. Additionally, a revolving fund of Rs 15,000 has been set up in each Gram Panchayat.

The expenses of the Harischandra Yojana are met from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, which has provided over Rs 10.19 crore for the revolving fund in all panchayats across the state.

The responsibility of overseeing this new process has been given to the Gram Panchayat Extension Officer or any other block-level extension officer. Furthermore, modifications have been made in the scheme's software to provide enhanced support, and a district-wise gram panchayat list has also been prepared.