Bhubaneswar, Feb 9: In the State Assembly, Opposition Members on Wednesday demanded an increase in pension amount being given to the elderly people, destitute, widows, and village artisans by the government.  

In response, Social Security and Empowerment of Persons With Disabilities (SSEPD) Minister Ashok Chandra Panda said the State government is well aware bout the demand being poured from different quarters to increase the amounts of pensions. The government will take a right decision at the right time, he said. 

Earlier, 28 lakh people were being given pensions under the Madhubabu Pension Scheme and 20 lakh under the National Food Security Scheme. Later,  8 lakh more people were added to the list of Madhu Babu Pension beneficiaries. Two days back, four lakh more people were included, and they all will get pensions this month, the Minister said. 

He said the government has made an outlay of Rs 3,000 crore in the current budget for the social security of people. 

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