Odisha Government Expands Social Security Pensions

The Odisha government will allocate Rs 7,830.08 crore annually for social security pensions to support widows, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. The pensions are provided under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Madhu Babu Pension Yojna (MBPY). Monthly pensions will increase for those over 80 years and those with significant disabilities.

The Odisha government is set to allocate Rs 7,830.08 crore annually for social security pensions aimed at aiding widows, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities, as revealed by Minister Nityananda Gond in the assembly on Friday.

The Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister highlighted that these pensions are distributed under two schemes—the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and the Madhu Babu Pension Yojna (MBPY). The former supports 20.33 lakh people, while the latter benefits 36.75 lakh individuals.

In an effort to enhance support, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an increase in the monthly pension for people over 80 years of age and those with disabilities surpassing 80 per cent, raising it to Rs 3,500. Currently, the state government provides a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to senior citizens, widows, divorcees, unmarried women, and persons with disabilities (PwD), with differentiated amounts for various age and disability categories.