Ahead Of Panchayat Polls, Odisha Govt Releases Rs 350 Crore For Distribution As Livelihood Assistance

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has released Rs 350 crore for distribution as livelihood assistance among beneficiaries of national and state food security schemes in all 30 districts of the state, ahead of panchayat elections.

Beneficiaries will be given Rs 1,000 each as livelihood assistance under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS).

The State Election Commission (SEC) released the model code of conduct for the panchayat polls in Odisha on December 19.

The model code will remain in force from the date of issue of notification for the elections till the counting of votes is completed, the SEC stated.

The panchayat elections will have to be held by March 2022. According to an earlier notification, polling will be held for 853 Zilla Parishads with party symbols and for 91,916 wards and 6,794 panchayats on non-party basis.