Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced a package of Rs 960 crore for the poor, a day after announcing a Rs 1,444-crore house repair package for 30 lakh households ahead of panchayat elections.

Announcing a livelihood assistance of Rs 1,000 each for Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) cardholders and ration cardholders in Odisha, Naveen said the assistance was aimed at minimising people’s financial burden during the pandemic.

Beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) in Odisha will also get monetary assistance. The state government will disburse Rs 960 crore for this purpose and nearly 96 lakh families will benefit from the programme.

The chief minister has directed officials to credit the money directly into beneficiary accounts within seven days, said a media release issued by the chief minister’s office.

On Wednesday evening, Naveen talked to women members of Mission Shakti that supports women self-help groups (SHGs) across the state, and launched a number of programmes for women empowerment. He also announced e-transfer of Rs 200 crore towards interest subsidy for women’s collectives.

The chief minister laid the foundation stone for Mission Shakti Bazar in Bhubaneswar through which women SHG members can sell their products.

Naveen also announced that members of women SHGs would work as bank correspondents in areas where there were no banks.

“Mission Shakti house will be constructed in each ward and in each panchayat of the state. Mission Shakti Bhawan will also be set up in the block headquarters, district headquarters and at the state level. Every district of the state will be given Rs 1 crore to construct Mission Shakti Bhawan,” Naveen said, adding that the state cabinet had earlier decided to give Rs ,5000 crore worth of work to the Mission Shakti groups.

Odisha has nearly 70 lakh women SHG members receiving support from the Mission Shakti department.

The chief minister also announced that community support staff at the panchayat level would be provide uniforms.

Both the Congress and Opposition have accused the Naveen Patnaik government of announcing these schemes to win people’s support.

“Where was the government for all these years? People have understood this election gimmick,” said BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra.

While the State Election Commission is gearing up to announce the dates for the panchayat polls, the state government on Wednesday informed the high court that it would withdraw the notification issued for the reservation of the seats for the three-tier election and issue fresh notification on December 27.

The state government had issued the notification on October 1. It will submit the fresh reservation list to the SEC on January 7.

Meanwhile, the high court has asked the Odisha government to complete the election process by March 8.