The Odisha government has announced that beneficiaries aged 60 and above under the Subhadra Yojana will now be eligible for pension benefits.
A directive has been issued to include these individuals under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) and the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
The move comes after it was revealed that nearly 93,000 beneficiaries aged 60 years and above had been excluded from the Subhadra scheme.
In an official communication from the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), Additional Secretary Deepak Routrai clarified that individuals who previously received benefits under the Subhadra Scheme are eligible to apply for pensions under MBPY or NSAP upon attaining 60 years of age. However, approval of their applications will be subject to fulfillment of the prescribed eligibility criteria and the availability of vacancies.
The letter, addressed to the Department of Women and Child Development, referenced discussions from the inaugural meeting of the State Level Steering and Monitoring Committee on Subhadra. It underscored that no special provisions or exemptions have been granted to former beneficiaries of the scheme.
The communication further stated that ex-Subhadra beneficiaries must submit fresh applications under the old age pension category. District Social Security Officers have been directed to provide full support in facilitating and processing these applications.
