Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Cabinet on August 12 approved the proposal for continuation of the State Sector Scheme “Jashoda” along with its sub-scheme “Ashirbad” for a further period of five years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
The scheme aims to provide a financial, educational, and social safety net for children living without biological parents, children with incapacitated parents, children affected or infected by HIV, and children who lost their primary breadwinners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The projected total budget for the five-year period has been fixed at Rs 296.99 crore. The entire funding will be provided by the State Government under the Demand for Grants of the Women & Child Development Department.
Under the “Jashoda” scheme, provisions have been made for technical education, coaching for competitive examinations, scholarships, Sukanya Samriddhi assistance, marriage assistance, periodic surveys of orphan children, and issuance of orphan certificates. The objective is to ensure protection, care, rehabilitation, and holistic development of children in difficult circumstances.
The “Ashirbad” scheme is being implemented as a sub-scheme under “Jashoda”. It provides monthly financial support through Direct Benefit Transfer and other convergent support to children who lost both parents or their primary bread-earning parent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government said the continuation of the scheme will strengthen support systems for vulnerable children and ensure their education, health and overall welfare over the next five years.
