Odisha to cover 3 lakh beneficiaries under pension schemes

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 18: 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asked the state administration to enrol three lakh new beneficiaries under various pension schemes of the government.

Addressing the district collectors during the second day of the two-day Collectors’ Conference being held at the Secretariat today, Patnaik said that the State Government has already covered four million old, destitute, widows and disabled persons under several pension schemes and it is important to expand the footprint of these schemes further to ensure no one gets left behind.

Patnaik also felicitated Mayurbhanj, Nabarangpur and Khurda collectors for implementing several best practices in their districts.

While Mayurbhanj bagged the top position for its work on food processing and won a cash award of Rs 20 lakh, Nabarangpur came second for its work on eradication of superstition and was awarded Rs 15 lakh. Khurda secured the third position for its work on eye care and won an award of Rs 10 lakh.

The Chief Minister further announced several cash rewards for districts that have successfully implemented government welfare schemes.

“The best district in the disbursement of incentives for rural pucca houses would receive a cash award of Rs 1 crore. One best model gram panchayat selected in each of the 30 districts would receive a cash award of Rs 50 lakh. The best district in the coverage of BPL households in rural electrification would receive a cash award of Rs 1 crore,” said Patnaik.

“The best district for overall tribal welfare would receive a cash award of Rs 1 crore. The best district in implementation of construction workers’ welfare package would receive a cash award Rs 1 crore. The best district in skill development in employment generation would receive a cash award Rs 1 crore. The best district on credit linkage to women self–help groups (SHGs) would receive a cash award Rs 1 crore,” he added.

Explaining the incentives, Patnaik said that they will promote healthy competition among the districts to do good work for the people.