Bhubaneswar: Fulfilling the promise made in the BJP manifesto, state govt on Thursday increased the monthly pension for elderly people and persons with disabilities (PwDs) to Rs 3,500 per month.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the finance portfolio, proposed the increase in allowances under social security schemes like Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) during the maiden budget placed in the assembly here on Thursday.An allocation of Rs 7,600 crore has been made for the pension schemes.

Beneficiaries currently get a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500. “In the first phase, the hike will be implemented for beneficiaries above 80 years of age and those with disability above 80%,” Majhi said.
State govt provides social security allowances under MBPY and NSAP to elderly people, widows, PwDs, unmarried women, cured leprosy patients, AIDS patients identified by OSACS, divorcee/destitute, transgenders, widows, children orphaned during Covid-19 and other vulnerable people.
The previous BJD govt used to provide Rs 500, Rs 700 and Rs 900 as social security pension to around 35 lakh beneficiaries under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana. Ahead of the elections, it had increased the amounts by Rs 500 for beneficiaries. The beneficiaries are now getting Rs 1,000, Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,400 per month, respectively.
Besides, Majhi announced a new scheme — Jashoda — with an outlay of Rs 83 crore to provide financial assistance to orphaned children. Majhi earmarked Rs 302 crore for the welfare of PwDs and an additional Rs 10 crore for making govt buildings and infrastructure accessible for the disabled.

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