Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced a hike of Rs 200 in the monthly pension for elderly citizens under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) that covers 48 lakh beneficiaries. The announcement was made during the Ama Gaon Ama Bikash (our village our development) programme held in 10 blocks across 10 districts.Those between 60 and 79 years of age and getting Rs 300 per month, will now get Rs 500, while those above 80 will see their pension go up from Rs 500 to Rs 700 per month. The hike will also be applicable to widows, leprosy and AIDS patients and mentally challenged people irrespective of their age. Unmarried women above 30 years and belonging to a below poverty level family or with individual income below Rs 24,000 per year are also going to benefit from the hike. All the beneficiaries would start getting the revised amount from February. The decision could put an annual financial burden of Rs 1138 crore on the exchequer.Having already announced sops for farmers, women self-help groups and students in election year, Naveen has now reached out to the elderly, widows, destitute and the differently-abled. Social welfare initiatives of the Naveen Patnaik government has been the cornerstone behind his and the BJD’s electoral success.

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