Odisha Cabinet Endorses Multiple Significant Proposals; Increases Pension for Seniors and Disabled Individuals

Bhubaneswar, Jan 4 (NationPress) The Odisha Cabinet convened on Friday to endorse a total of nine significant proposals, which included an increase in the pension amount for Persons with Disabilities and elderly citizens aged 80 years or older.

This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

The Cabinet has sanctioned a proposal to raise the pension amount for eligible pensioners aged 80 and above, as well as for Persons with Disabilities possessing a disability percentage of 80% and higher, under both the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and the National Social Assistance Programme. The new pension amount will be set at Rs 3,500 per month, effective from January 2025, as stated in a press release from the state government.

In another notable decision, the Cabinet has also granted permission for the state government to act as a guarantor for new loans that the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) Ltd. intends to secure.

It is important to note that the OSCSC serves as the Implementing Agency for Paddy Procurement operations and the Public Distribution System on behalf of the Odisha government, ensuring farmers receive Minimum Support Price (MSP) within 24 to 48 hours after paddy purchase.

The OSCSC Ltd. also compensates millers for processing the Custom Milled Rice (CMR) from the procured paddy.

All these costs are covered by loans from banks, which OSCSC repays after receiving subsidies from the Government of India.

In recognition of the public interest in the paddy procurement operations and the Public Distribution System, the Cabinet has approved the provision of a government guarantee for new bank loans taken by OSCSC Ltd., according to the press statement.

The government guarantee amounts to Rs 17,500 crore for these new loans, which will be effective for a duration of five years.

Additionally, the Odisha Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide further subsidies for solar rooftop systems under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (free electricity scheme) (PMSG: MBY) in the state.

The state government will provide an extra subsidy of Rs 25,000 per Kilowatt for up to two kilowatts, with an additional Rs 10,000 for the third kilowatt under the PM-Surya Ghar scheme.

The Union government is already offering a subsidy of 60% of the solar unit cost for systems with a capacity of up to 2kW, and 40% for additional costs for systems ranging from 2 to 3kW under the PM-Surya Ghar scheme.

Moreover, the Odisha Cabinet approved several other important proposals from various departments during the Friday meeting.