Bhubaneswar, Nov 10: The State Government's decision to provide a monthly honourarium of Rs 30,000 to all living Padma Awardees has been appreciated by many. 

According to the government, as many as 55 Padma Awardees will get the financial support, which would cost the State exchequer of Rs 2 crore per annum. 

Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has thanked the Chief Minister and congratulated the Padma Awardees. 
Padma Shree Haladhar Nag and Padma Shree Bhagabat Pradhan, both residents of Bargarh district, have expressed happiness over the decision. 

Padma Shree Pradhan said he would now be able to meet his medicine expenditure and family expenses if provided Rs 30,000 per month. 

"I spend about Rs 4000 every month on medicine for my old age-related diseases. Artisan allowance of Rs 2,000 was not sufficient. Now I will be able to meet may all expenditure with Rs 30,000 to be availed every month from the State government," said Padma Shree Pradhan. 

"It is a very nice announcement," said Padma Shree Smt Beshra.

Padma Shree Sudarsan Pattanayak also hailed the decision. 

This is the first time in the country that a Padma awardee will be given a monthly honorarium of Rs 30,000. Union Education Minister thanked the Chief Minister for this historic and path-breaking decision. "This decision is a befitting honour to these personalities who have brought laurels to Odisha and the country with their talent," Pradhan said.