Odisha Govt Announces Welfare Schemes Ahead of Polls, Includes Aid for Ration Card Holders, Interest-Free Loans for Youths

GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 13th Feb. In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections, the Odisha government made significant announcements on Monday, unveiling a series of welfare measures aimed at providing financial assistance to its citizens.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet approved 26 proposals, with highlights including a one-time assistance of Rs 1,000 to all ration card holders and interest-free loans of up to Rs 1 lakh for 2 lakh youths across the state.

State Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak elaborated on the decisions taken during the cabinet meeting. The distribution of Rs 1,000 livelihood assistance to 95.90 lakh PDS beneficiary families aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by these families due to rising market prices. Additionally, each PDS family will receive two jute bags, free of cost, to aid in daily usage.

The allocation for the procurement and distribution of these jute bags is estimated to be Rs 278.69 crore, while the provision of one-time livelihood assistance will require Rs 959.05 crore, totaling Rs 1,237.74 crore from the state budget.

Under the new ‘Swayam’ scheme, designed to foster self-employment among youth, 1 lakh rural and urban youths aged 18-35 will receive interest-free loans of up to Rs 1 lakh each for business ventures. This initiative, spanning two years, will be funded with Rs 672 crore from the state’s coffers, with no collateral or processing fees required.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved the Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY), aimed at benefiting 50,000 fishermen directly, including 11,000 women Self Help Group (SHG) members, and indirectly supporting over 1 lakh fishermen. The scheme, with a budget outlay of nearly Rs 448 crore for the 2023-24 fiscal year, is designed to enhance the livelihoods of fishermen across the state.

These initiatives underscore the Odisha government’s commitment to addressing the welfare needs of its citizens, particularly as the state prepares for upcoming elections.