The Naveen Patnaik government has announced assistance worth Rs 1,000 for each of the 70 lakh women self-help group members — considered the major vote bank of the BJD — to purchase uniforms for them.

Apart from this, 1.5 lakh executive committee (EC) and management committee (MC) members of the self-help groups will get assistance of Rs 2,000 each for buying blazers.

The women SHG members can also avail interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for launching a start-up and Rs 2 lakh interest-free loans to purchase scooters.

The decision to assist the women self-help group members in purchasing uniforms came four days after Naveen’s announcement to give Rs 1,000 one-time livelihood assistance to each of the 96 lakh families covered under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The beneficiaries would also be provided with two jute bags to carry the essential items.

The Odisha cabinet on Friday decided to provide financial assistance to all Mission Shakti SHG members. Every SHG member will be provided Rs 1,000 to purchase uniforms of choice according to their group’s decision. Similarly, financial assistance of Rs 2,000 per EC member and MC member will be provided to purchase blazers of their choice. The amount will be deposited in the bank accounts of SHGs and federations. The state government has earmarked Rs 730 crore for the purpose.