Bhubaneswar, Jan 4: The eligible elderlies will get the increased social security pension starting this month, said Nityananda Gond, Minister of School and Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare.

The Odisha government decided Friday to enhance the social security pension to Rs 3,500 per month for elderly people aged 80 years and above as well as the persons with over 80 per cent disabilities.

"More than six lakh people will be benifitted from the scheme," stated Gond. "It will be very helpful for the needy elderly and disabled people. They would be able to fulfill their needs and noone will disrespect them," he added.

Taking a dig at the previous government in Odisha, the Minister said that they didn't take this kind of initiative while in power. "The BJD government failed to take such initiatives during their time," Gond said.

"However, since coming to power, our government has taken initiatives one after the other for the good of people. And the oppositions (parties) only know how to oppose to everything we do. But it doesn't matter. We are here to work and we will continue to work for the people of Odisha," Gond signed off.

The monthly pension for these categories was previously set at Rs 1,200. Now it has been increased to Rs 3,500 under both Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and National Social Assistance Programme.

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