The Odisha government on Saturday hiked pension amount by Rs 500 for beneficiaries under the state government’s social security scheme, Madhu Babu Pension Yojana.

The minimum monthly pension amount under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana will be Rs 1,000 instead of Rs 500.

The beneficiaries will avail of the enhanced amount from February onwards. The pension holders who used to get Rs 500 would now avail Rs 1,000. The ones who were getting Rs 700 and Rs 900 would avail pension of Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,400 respectively.

The beneficiaries will receive the minimum enhanced amount between February 20 and February 25. The state will spend an additional Rs 3,683 crore on this account only.

Currently, 36.75 lakh beneficiaries are availing of pensions under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana. Those below the age of 80 will get Rs 1,000 and those beyond 80 years will get a Rs 1,200 pension per month. People above 80 years having 60 per cent disabilities will get a Rs 1,400 pension per month.

Transgenders, AIDS patients, unmarried women, leprosy patients, persons with disabilities, widows and orphans of Covid-affected families have also been covered under the social security scheme.