Bhubaneswar adds 5,324 new beneficiaries under Madhu Babu Pension Scheme

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: The Odisha Government has expanded the reach of the Madhu Babu Pension Scheme by adding 5,324 new beneficiaries in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area. The newly enrolled beneficiaries started receiving their pension benefits from Friday.

The pension distribution was formally launched at a special programme held at the BMC office, where Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan handed over pension benefits to eligible beneficiaries.

More than 21,000 people in the BMC area were already receiving assistance under the scheme, and the latest addition is expected to strengthen the state's social security network.

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The government has also introduced a significant reform in the pension approval process. Earlier, many applicants had to wait for years, as pensions were often allotted only when vacancies arose following the death of an existing beneficiary.

Under the new system, eligible applicants who meet all criteria will receive benefits without prolonged delays.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier launched the revised mechanism in Balasore, and it has now been extended to the BMC area. Officials said the move will ensure faster access to financial assistance for deserving citizens.

Among the 5,324 new beneficiaries, 3,229 are senior citizens above 60 years of age, while 33 are above 80 years. The list also includes 737 widows, 91 persons with more than 80 per cent disability, 122 unmarried women, 81 divorced women, and two transgender beneficiaries.

To make the scheme more accessible, the government has introduced doorstep delivery of pension benefits for elderly, physically challenged and vulnerable beneficiaries who are unable to visit banks.