Govt adds five lakh more to Madhu Babu pension scheme

Bhubaneswar, Dec 12: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday announced inclusion of 5 lakh more Madhu Babu Pension (State-sponsored old-age pension scheme) beneficiaries in the State along with 40,000 more Artist pension beneficiaries from December 15.

The announcement came during a high level review meeting of the implementation of PEETHA across the State from 15-20 each month from December 2018.

The Chief Minister stressed massive public awarenesss at the grassroots level about the various developmental schemes and programmes meant for their benefits.

He also stressed that no bona fide beneficiaries should be deprived of reaping the benefits meant for them.

Patnaik directed officials to ensure that all beneficiaries have access to their rights hassle-free at the PEETHA camps to be organised at every Block level.

the Chief Minister said, “PEETHA is a re-assertion of my 3Ts mantra for good governance. The State Government is committed to provide all benefits to the individual in the community in a transparent manner. The disbursement of benefits in a camp mode under the PEETHA programme will enhance accountability and shall empower the people. We should utilize this platform to disseminate information regarding various schemes and initiatives of the State Government.”

“I want to make social security pension universal so that it is accessible to all the needy persons,” the Chief Minister asserted adding, “I’m happy to redeem our pledge of dispensing social justice to all.”

The Chief Minister said the Government is committed to the welfare of artists and under the Mukhya Mantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana, over 40,000 artists will be covered and they will be provided with assistance of Rs 1200 per month.

“This benefit will also be disbursed in a camp mode under the PEETHA programme,” he said.

Notably, PEETHA camps will be organized from the 15th to the 20th of every month with full preparedness.

The Collectors have been asked to ensure that the calendar for these camps is well-publicised and the IEC materials are well displayed.

The Block Development Officers (BDOs) in consultation with the functionaries of Panchayati Raj institutions and assistance of voluntary social workers shall organize the PEETHA camps.

So far over 43 lakh persons have been provided social security pensions in the State and the State Government intends to cover all eligible persons under the social security pensions.