THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 21, 2026

The Centre on Friday lauded Odisha’s initiatives for the welfare and empowerment of vulnerable sections of society and stressed the need to further expand social security outreach across the state, during a high-level review meeting here.

Union Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary Sudhansh Pant reviewed with Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg the implementation of various Central and state schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, persons with disabilities, transgender persons and senior citizens.

The meeting also focused on strengthening livelihood and skill-development programmes and expanding awareness under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

Parameswaran made a presentation on the implementation of various Central and state schemes aimed at the overall development and empowerment of SCs, STs, minorities and backward classes.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), as many as 2,033 villages across all 30 districts were selected during 2025-26 and 2026-27, of which 1,519 have been declared Adarsh Gram, the release said.

The programme focuses on rural development, livelihood generation and skill development in the selected villages.

To economically empower SC women’s self-help groups, the state is implementing an Income Generation Scheme (IGS). Assistance through bank loans and subsidies is being provided for livelihood opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, industry, services and business.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), initiatives are being undertaken for skill development, income generation and infrastructure development. A total of 4,628 people have received skill-development training, along with employment-oriented assistance.

Odisha currently has 168 SC hostels, particularly aimed at providing educational opportunities to students from remote areas.

The state is also providing pre-matric and post-matric scholarships to SC students. During 2025-26, 2,38,109 students received post-matric scholarships, while around one lakh students received pre-matric scholarships.

The Odisha State Scholarship Portal has enabled digital application and payment of scholarships, the release said.

For students belonging to backward classes, pre-matric and post-matric scholarships and hostel facilities are being provided under the PM YASASVI scheme, with the Centre and state sharing the expenditure in a 60:40 ratio.

During 2025-26, 2,08,745 students received pre-matric assistance and 4,71,572 students received scholarships under the scheme.

The review meeting also highlighted success stories generated through livelihood and skill-development interventions.

The Har Parvati Self-Help Group in Ganjam district has successfully taken up orchid cultivation, while Kisan Patra of Dhenkanal district secured employment at a technical institution in Hyderabad following skill development.

Another success story was that of Parshuram Majhi of Balasore district, who secured employment in the technical sector in China.

The Union secretary appreciated these success stories and the implementation of programmes by the concerned departments, besides offering suggestions for further strengthening the initiatives.

The meeting also reviewed measures relating to persons with disabilities, transgender persons and senior citizens.

Under efforts aimed at making Odisha free from substance abuse, 41 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts and 11 "Disha" rehabilitation centres are functioning in the state.

Through the Disha centres, 4,986 people have been rehabilitated, while 3,577 have received skill training and 1,459 have been provided livelihood-based employment, according to the release.

Chief Secretary Garg briefed the meeting on measures being undertaken under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, including action against illegal cannabis cultivation, enforcement raids and awareness programmes in schools and colleges.

Pant stressed the need to make the campaign more extensive and strengthen awareness efforts across the state.

The welfare and rights of the transgender community also figured prominently in the discussions.

The Odisha Transgender Welfare Board has been constituted for the rights and welfare of transgender persons, with its first meeting held on August 7.

A total of 3,159 transgender certificates and identity cards have been issued in the state. More than 104 transgender self-help groups have been formed, while 58 groups have received one-time assistance of Rs 50,000 each.

Transgender persons are also being provided assistance under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana, while housing support for homeless persons is being provided under the Basundhara scheme.

For the rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging and homeless persons, 21 "Bhikshuk Rehabilitation Centres" are functioning in Odisha. Around 1,800 people in eight districts are being supported through these centres.

The state also has 95 old-age homes functioning under Central and state schemes, with around 2,600 residents. Healthcare and other services for senior citizens are being prioritised, the release said.

The meeting further discussed a long-term strategy for social security and empowerment in line with the objectives of Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047.

The discussions included revision of the senior citizens’ policy, a disability-inclusive policy and initiatives such as an Inter-Agency Council State Resource Centre for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

State DGP Vinaytosh Mishra, Principal Secretary of the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Director Parul Pattwari, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department Aravind Agrawal, Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department N Tirumala Naik, besides senior officials of the Home Department, police administration and other concerned departments, attended the meeting.