Bhubaneswar: In a review meeting on cold wave situation in the State, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the CM ordered provision of winter aid to the poor. Naveen stressed the importance of keeping the poor especially the senior citizens safe during this season.
The Chief Minister has ordered to provide Rs 300 as winter aid to all the beneficiaries to buy blankets by December. This will benefit over 48 lakh beneficiaries under Madhubabu Pension Yojana and National Pension Yojana (NSAP) and for this the state government has sanctioned Rs 146 crore.
The Chief Minister advised Panchayati Raj Department, Urban Development Department, District Collector and Municipal authorities to take immediate action to ensure that no soul remains unattended or in a helpless situation during cold winter nights.
So far, 855 traveler shelters have been opened in the state. It was decided to use panchayat offices and school houses as night shelters wherever necessary. Steps will be taken to ensure that all the beneficiaries get this help on November 30 and December 1.
In this meeting, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Development Commissioner PK Jena, Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian and several other officials were present.
