Odisha Govt to Provide Financial Assistance of Rs 10K Per Month to Padmashree Awardees Living in Miserable Condition

Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable step, the Odisha Government today announced to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per month to Padmashree awardees who are living in miserable condition.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved a proposal of the State Culture Department in this regard.

The decision came after newspaper reports highlighted the plight of Padmashree Daitari Nayak.

Following this, the CMO ordered the Culture Department to prepare a detailed report on Padmashree awardees in the State.

The State Government will now provide Rs 10, 000 per month to Padmashree award winners belonging to economically weaker section (EWS) category.

As per official data, a total of 84 persons from Odisha have so far been honored with Padma Shri, and out it, 45 were passed away.

The Chief Minister also directed the officials to frame guideline for selection of beneficiaries.
Notably, 75-year-old Daitari Nayak, a tribal farmer from Talabaitarani village in Kenojhar district received the prestigious award for digging a 3-km long canal through a mountain.