Bhubaneswar, April 13: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday enhanced the assistance being provided to perform last rites under Harischandra Sahayata Yojana.
“As per the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik assistance under Harishchandra Yojana has been hiked from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 in rural area and from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 in urban area,” said a CMO communique.
The State government had launched Harishchandra Sahayata Yojana five years back to benefit poor people who can’t afford to do a cremation. The fund is given from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
A revolving fund of Rs 15,000 has been sanctioned for each Gram Panchayat for the above-mentioned assistance. Hence, for the Revolving Fund of panchayats across the State, an amount of Rs 10.19 crore has been sanctioned, the statement stated.
To monitor this new process, either the extension officer of gram panchayat or any other block-level officer will be given charge. To meet the change, the necessary changes have been made in the software and the list of panchayats has been prepared accordingly, it added.