The Government’s allowances for elderly persons, widows and physically-challenged persons would be paid in advance in view of the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak, said Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability Minister Ashok Chandra Panda on Tuesday.
The allowances would be paid in advance this month for the months of April, May, June and July. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has issued a directive in this regard, Panda said.
Around 28 lakh beneficiaries of the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana and an equal number of beneficiaries of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) in the State would be benefited with the decision, he added. The move is meant to prevent the beneficiaries, especially elderly persons, from coronavirus contamination, official sources said.