Bhubaneswar, Aug 7: In a bid to strengthen the social security system, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday sanctioned Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) benefits for an additional 4.13 lakh applicants in the state in one go.
The decision of the Chief Minister would bring immense cheer for the social security pension aspirants, an official source said.
With this, the target of the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana has been enhanced to 32.75 lakh people, as earlier 28.61 lakh beneficiaries were getting benefits under the scheme.
Chief Minister office sources said all the newly sanctioned beneficiaries will get their first pension amount on August 15 next on Janaseva Diwas at the Gram Panchayat headquarters or Ward Offices in the presence of elected representatives.
All Collectors have been advised to ensure smooth disbursement of pensions to the beneficiaries in camp mode.
The Odisha government provides social security pensions under the 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, divorcees and destitutes, transgender persons, widows, orphan children of COVID-affected families, and other vulnerable people are covered under this scheme.
In MBPY, between the age groups 0-79 years, beneficiaries of different categories get a pension at Rs 500 per month, whereas beneficiaries of the age 80 years and above receive Rs 700 per month.
Similarly, under this scheme, beneficiaries with 40–59 percent disability receive Rs 500 per month, and beneficiaries with 60 percent and above disability receive Rs 700 per month, whereas beneficiaries with 60 percent and above disability and aged 80 years and above receive Rs 900 per month.
Patnaik included the new beneficiaries under the scheme while considering the grievances received during the visit of the CMO to districts across the state and the feedback received from Mo Sarkar.
As per the direction of the Chief Minister, Secretary to CM (5T) V K Pandian and other senior officers of the CMO are visiting districts to review development projects and listen to people’s grievances at the grassroots level.
