Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister Nityananda Gond informed the Odisha Assembly that 10,320 elderly people and persons with disabilities are still waiting for their Rs 3,500 monthly pension.
Pension Applicants
Out of the total pending cases, 3,835 applicants are above 80 years of age. This includes 3,689 under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) and 146 under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Among persons with more than 80% disability, 6,485 applicants are awaiting approval, with 6,029 under MBPY and 456 under NSAP.
District Figures
Ganjam district has the highest number of elderly applicants waiting for pension benefits, with 532 pending cases. For persons with more than 80% disability, Cuttack district leads with 614 pending applications.
Government Response
Minister Gond assured the Assembly that the government is expediting the processing of applications to ensure the timely disbursement of pensions. He emphasised that the state remains committed to supporting vulnerable groups through social security schemes.
