Odisha Govt To Hike Old Age, Other Pensions & Reopen Schools Shut Earlier: Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated the process for increasing different pensions and allowances for eligible beneficiaries of various schemes in the state.

Giving this information, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Minister Nityananda Gond told reporters that process is in progress to hike old age, widow and disability pension in the state.

While the pension for these beneficiaries is proposed to be increased to Rs 3,000, the revised amount will come into force after a detailed consultation with the Finance department, he said.

Stating that the process is underway, the Minister said discussion regarding budgetary provision is on with the Finance department.

Notably, the state government has been providing allowances under the Madhubabu Pension Scheme to the beneficiaries deprived of National Social Security. In February, the previous government had increased the pension amount by Rs 500 and the beneficiaries were getting Rs 1000.

Gond, who is also in-charge of School and Mass Education department, further said that the state government is planning to reopen schools closed during previous BJD regime.

Stating that several schools were shut on the basis of wrong reports, the Minister said the demands of locals where students have to travel a long distance to attend school were also ignored.

He said the Department Secretary has been asked to prepare a report and based on this the government will take steps to reopen schools wherever necessary.

Regarding hike in scholarships, Gond said the state government will certainly consider it and take appropriate decisions.