Odisha CM Announces a Generous Increase in Pension Amounts for Beneficiaries

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has declared a substantial hike of Rs 500 in the monthly pension granted under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY). This decision elevates the minimum pension amount to Rs 1,000 for the beneficiaries. The increased pension will take effect from February, bringing relief to recipients who were previously receiving amounts of Rs 500, Rs 700, and Rs 900.

Under the revised pension structure, beneficiaries will now receive Rs 1,000, Rs 1,200, and Rs 1,400, respectively. The state government estimates an annual expenditure of Rs 3,683 crore due to this enhancement. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also announced a corresponding increment of Rs 500 in the monthly pension for beneficiaries covered under the National Social Security Scheme.

MBPY beneficiaries are set to receive their revised pensions between February 20 and 25. This decision comes in response to requests from citizens during the tours of 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman Kartik Pandian, who advocated for an increase in the pension amount. The Chief Minister had previously expanded the number of MBPY beneficiaries in August of the previous year, adding 4.13 lakh beneficiaries. With an additional 4 lakh beneficiaries included recently, the total number of beneficiaries now stands at 36.75 lakh.

The state government’s comprehensive social security pension initiative caters to various categories, including senior citizens, widows, persons with disabilities, unmarried women, recovered leprosy patients, AIDS patients identified by the Odisha State AIDS Cell, divorced women, transgenders, orphans, widows due to Covid, and individuals from other vulnerable sections. Additionally, the government provides extra assistance to beneficiaries of the National Social Assistance Programme.

Children up to 79 years of age receive Rs 500 per month, while individuals aged 80 and above are entitled to Rs 700 monthly. Persons with disabilities experiencing 40 to 59 per cent disability receive Rs 500, those with 60 per cent or more disability receive Rs 700, and individuals above 80 with over 60 per cent disability are entitled to Rs 900 per month. The latest announcement ensures an across-the-board increase in allowances for all eligible recipients.