Bhubaneswar: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday accused the Odisha government of discontinuing monthly financial assistance under the Ashirbad Scheme to more than 50,000 children orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging that the payments have remained pending since March this year.
In a press statement, the regional party claimed that the suspension of financial assistance has adversely affected the care and upbringing of children who lost one or both parents during the pandemic.
BJD Media Coordinator and Spokesperson Lenin Mohanty alleged that while the state government has been criticised over delays in pensions for senior citizens, widows and persons with disabilities, it has also failed to continue financial support to children orphaned due to COVID-19.
According to Mohanty, the Ashirbad Scheme was introduced by the previous BJD government under then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to provide monthly assistance to children who lost their parents during the pandemic. Under the scheme, children who lost both parents were entitled to Rs 2,500 per month, while those who lost one parent received Rs 1,500 per month.
He said the financial assistance was directly transferred to the bank accounts of relatives or guardians caring for the children or to the institutions where they were residing.
The BJD alleged that the government has stopped releasing the assistance since March this year, leading to financial hardship for affected families and institutions. Mohanty also claimed that District Child Protection Officers, who play a key role in implementing the scheme, have expressed their inability to address the issue as the funds have not been released.
The opposition party demanded that the state government immediately clear the pending dues and resume the monthly financial assistance under the Ashirbad Scheme.
There was no immediate response from the Odisha government to the allegations.
