Chhatrapur: More than 59,000 people in Ganjam district have been brought under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) in a major expansion of the social security scheme. A total of 59,031 newly eligible beneficiaries have been included, accounting for nearly 11 per cent of the 5.05 lakh people added across Odisha.
The inclusion was announced at a district-level programme marking the launch of the Unified Pension Management Portal (UPMP) and the saturation of the pension scheme at Rushikulya Conference Hall in Chhatrapur.
Commerce and Transport, Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, who attended the programme as the chief guest, said the new system would end the long waiting period faced by eligible people seeking social security pensions. He said the earlier fixed-quota system often left eligible applicants waiting for months or years, but the new portal would allow them to apply without waiting for a vacancy.
With the latest inclusion, the total number of beneficiaries under the scheme in Odisha has reached 41,80,825, including around 3.72 lakh in Ganjam. The State Government will incur an additional annual expenditure of approximately Rs 625 crore to provide pensions to the newly included beneficiaries.
Jena said the portal would simplify the application, verification and approval processes and ensure timely pension payments. Eligible persons aged 60 years and above can apply through mobile phones or computers. Applications can also be submitted at nearby Jana Seva Kendras and Block Development Officer (BDO) offices. Pension payments will begin from the month following approval.
The portal will also automatically extend the enhanced pension of Rs 3,500 to beneficiaries who attain 80 years of age and persons with 80 per cent or more disability. They will not have to submit fresh applications to receive the increased amount.
The Minister also clarified the pension disbursement arrangement under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), following reports of delays in payments. He said nearly 19 lakh beneficiaries across the state had received their pensions by September. Under the revised arrangement implemented from November, beneficiaries will receive Rs 800 in cash along with a coupon worth Rs 200, while those entitled to Rs 3,500 will receive Rs 3,000 in cash and a coupon worth Rs 500. The State Government contributes the cash component, while the Centre provides the coupon component, he said.
Aska MP Anita Subhadarshini said ensuring dignity and financial support for people in their old age was an important responsibility of a welfare-oriented government. Brahmapur MLA K. Anil Kumar said the new system would enable thousands of eligible people to receive pensions simultaneously, unlike the earlier arrangement under which only 100 to 200 beneficiaries were covered at a time.
Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak said the new system would remove delays in pension enrolment, while District Planning Board Chairman and Khallikote MLA Purnachandra Sethi highlighted the inclusion of more than five lakh beneficiaries across the state.
Ganjam Collector V. Keerthi Vasan said the portal would make the pension system simpler and more transparent. He expressed hope that it would also reduce pension-related grievances frequently raised during the district’s weekly public grievance hearings.
During the programme, pension benefits were distributed to around 1,000 newly included beneficiaries from Chhatrapur, Rangeilunda block and Berhampur Municipal Corporation areas. An awareness vehicle was also flagged off to spread information about the scheme and the new application process.
The Minister also appreciated the efforts of the district administration and local residents in managing the recent floods and carrying out restoration work. He said the government was committed to supporting flood-affected people in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal, particularly farmers who had suffered losses.
Additional Executive Officer of Ganjam Zilla Parishad Bijay Kumar Behera, District Social Security Officer Krushna Chandra Behera and other officials attended the programme.
