The Odisha government has directed all district collectors to implement adequate safety measures for the disbursement of pensions under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) on the 15th of every month, as prevailing heatwave conditions pose serious health risks to beneficiaries.
Heatwave conditions in Odisha
Odisha has been experiencing severe heatwave conditions across several districts, with temperatures in interior and western regions ranging between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius. Coastal districts are also facing high humidity along with scorching heat. The intense summer weather has prompted the state government to take precautionary steps to protect vulnerable pensioners.
Government directive to district collectors
In a letter issued on Monday, Suresh Kumar Vashishth, principal secretary of the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, instructed all collectors and district magistrates to ensure necessary arrangements at pension disbursement centres. Beneficiaries, many of whom are elderly and physically vulnerable, gather at panchayat-level centres to collect their cash pensions every month. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even fatal heatstroke.
The department has directed officials to keep drinking water, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) sachets, and first-aid kits readily available at all disbursement centres. Additionally, the government has emphasised the need for doorstep delivery of pensions to elderly, physically challenged, and infirm beneficiaries to minimise their exposure to extreme weather conditions.
Implementation of doorstep delivery
Collectors have been instructed to ensure that the doorstep delivery mechanism is implemented without fail during the upcoming pension distribution scheduled for May 15. This measure aims to protect the most vulnerable beneficiaries from the harsh summer heat.
The Madhu Babu Pension Yojana is a key social security scheme in Odisha, providing financial support to elderly, disabled, and destitute individuals. The cash disbursement process typically requires beneficiaries to travel to designated centres, which can be challenging during extreme weather.
