Govt aid for needy to buy blankets

Bhubaneswar: The state government on Friday announced a grant of Rs 146 crore to buy blankets for over 48 lakh needy people to survive the winter months, a government statement said. The winter assistance of Rs 300 each will be provided to the beneficiaries of Madhubabu pension scheme and national old age pension scheme.
Several parts of the state has been experiencing cold conditions. A per the IMD, temperature in places like Kandhamal and Koraput may go down further in the coming days. Keeping this in mind, the state government has taken a decision to provide winter assistance to needy people, especially senior citizens, said an official.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, while attending a review meeting, here, directed the officials to provide Rs 300 each to eligible beneficiaries by December 1 towards the purchase of blankets. Naveen also told officials to ensure that nobody sleeps in the open during the winter season.
Presently, there are 855 shelter homes in the state. “If needed, it was decided in the meeting that panchayat offices and schools can be used as night shelters. The government officials will try to give the assistance money within the deadline,” the government stated.