Marking a reflective look at welfare governance in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has emphasised that the foundational groundwork of the state’s social security pension system was laid under the visionary leadership of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik.
According to a press statement released by party media coordinator Dr Lenin Mohanty, the number of social security pension beneficiaries in Odisha witnessed a massive 12-fold increase during BJD’s 24-year tenure, soaring from 3.53 lakh in the year 2000 to approximately 36 lakh by 2024.
Dr Mohanty noted that a historic milestone was achieved on January 1, 2008, with the rollout of the Madhubabu Pension Yojana. This flagship initiative provided monthly financial assistance to senior citizens aged 60 and above, widows, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable or destitute groups.
The BJD administration systematically enhanced pension amounts over the years, integrating hundreds of thousands of marginalised citizens into the social welfare net. This initiative formed an integral component of a comprehensive pro-people security framework that spanned pensions, healthcare, maternity support, food security, women’s empowerment, housing, and welfare for farmers and urban poor. Key schemes like Mission Shakti, Mamata, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, and the State Food Security Scheme served as a robust shield for the most vulnerable segments of society.
In contrast, Dr Mohanty criticised the current administration, stating that the ruling BJP government has added only around 5 lakh beneficiaries in roughly 30 months of coming to power—a scope he described as limited when compared to the 12-fold growth achieved over 24 years under Naveen Patnaik.
The BJD further alleged that the ruling party is attempting political manoeuvring keeping upcoming panchayat elections in view, adding that criticisms stem from challenges in consistently disbursing monthly allowances to legacy beneficiaries. The party concluded by asserting that the true credit for establishing a transparent and extensive social security pension model in Odisha belongs to the Naveen Patnaik administration, urging an end to the politicisation of public welfare initiatives.
