From schemes for unorganised workers to those for kendu leaf pluckers, Naveen Patnaik bolsters ‘pro-people, poor’ image

Currently under the purview of the scheme are senior citizens, widows, persons with disability, the poor, and transpersons. The recent announcement takes the total number of beneficiaries to 32.75 lakh. The NSAP, meanwhile, covers 20 lakh individuals in Odisha.

Through the scheme, which was launched in 2008, eligible individuals aged between 60-79 years of age are provided Rs 500 per month. Those above 80 years of age get Rs 700 per month.

The state’s Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Secretary, S K, Lohani told The Indian Express that the recent inclusions to the MBPY “will help strengthen social security system of the state”.

The newly sanctioned beneficiaries will get their first pension amount on August 15 at the panchayat headquarters or ward offices in presence of elected representatives. This move is in tune with the Naveen Patnaik government’s recent decision to roll back the direct benefit transfer (DBT) system and to provide the pension amount in cash.

A senior government official said the announcement helps Patnaik cultivate his image of a “pro-people and pro-poor leader”.

This decision comes on the heels of several welfare schemes over the last couple of months.

On August 2, Patnaik included 50 more categories of workers from unorganised sectors who can avail the welfare schemes of the Odisha Unorganized Workers Social Security Board. It also doubled the assistance amount for the families of deceased workers registered with the board to Rs 4 lakh in case of an accidental death and Rs 2 lakh in case of a natural death.

In July, the government also announced assistance of Rs 250 crore for kendu leaf pluckers and binders, who comprise around eight lakh population in western Odisha. The scheme was rolled out in phases through the month.

Earlier, on May 29, the BJD announced the Mo Ghara programme, a credit-linked housing scheme for rural poor and a scooter scheme for women self-help group (SHG) members.

Sources said that schemes related to hiking the remuneration of traditional folk artistes and increase in food-grant for patients in state-run hospitals have recently been approved by the BJD government.

He also rolled out the Ama Odisha, Navin Odisha (Our Odisha, New Odisha slogan, a play on the 2019 poll slogan of — “Ama Gaon, Ama Bikash” (our village, our development).

Last month, Patnaik launched the Mukhya Mantri Sabha Gruha (a Chief Minister’s meeting hall) in western Odisha districts through which voters can reach out to the CM. The move is being seen as an attempt to bolster party’s base in the region, known to be a BJP stronghold. In 2019, the saffron party had won all five Lok Sabha here.

Sources added several other schemes are in the pipeline, which will be announced later this month. BJD Vice President Prasanna Acharya said “welfarism” was part of Patnaik’s core agenda. “Whether there is an election or not, our government always cares for the poor and downtrodden. Our government is known for the cradle to grave schemes,” he said

Recent Scheme spree

📌 Madhu Babu Pension Yojana: On August 7, 4.13 lakh more added to the scheme covering senior citizens, widows, persons with disability, the poor, and transpersons.

📌 Odisha Unorganized Workers Social Security Board: On August 2, 50 more categories of workers of unorganised sectors brought under this scheme, aid amount doubled

📌 Kendu leaf pluckers, binders: In phases spread over July, aid of Rs 250 crore announced for them

📌 Mukhya Mantri Sabha Gruha: Scheme launched in July to allow people to approach CM in west UP districts

📌 Mo Ghara: A housing scheme for rural poor announced on May 29, along with scooter scheme for women SHGs

📌 Ama Odisha, Navin Odisha: Revamped version of a scheme for village development