Odisha CM expands Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and launches new portal
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi added over five lakh new beneficiaries to the scheme and scrapped the previous quota system.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi introduced 5,05,817 new beneficiaries into the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) on Tuesday. According to Odisha Bytes, the Chief Minister also launched the Unified Pension Management Portal (UPMP) in Baleshwar to simplify the pension application and disbursement process.
The total number of beneficiaries under the MBPY has increased to 41,80,825. Majhi said the government has abolished the previous fixed quota system used at state and district levels, which required a vacancy to arise from a death before a new applicant could receive a pension.
The inclusion of the additional beneficiaries will result in an annual expenditure of approximately Rs 625 crore. Majhi stated that the government would not deny elderly citizens their benefits for the sake of Rs 500-600 crore, describing the expenditure as an investment in welfare and dignity.
Under the UPMP, eligible individuals can apply online or at a Jan Seva Kendra or Block Development Officer’s office. Majhi assured that pension payments would begin regularly from the month following application submission, and newly enrolled beneficiaries will receive pensions for October and November together.
District-level distribution programmes are scheduled from November 11 to 13, with block-level programmes from November 18 to 20. Those unable to attend can collect cash from Gram Panchayat or Municipality offices on November 25. From December, pensions will be disbursed on the 15th of every month.