Odisha Govt. to Increase Honorarium for Padma Awardees

Odisha Govt. to Increase Honorarium for Padma Awardees

A notification issued by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department on Thursday announced that, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to society across various fields, the state government has decided to provide a monthly assistance of Rs. 30,000 to each living Padma awardee. This assistance will be transferred directly to their accounts via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, starting this month.

All the district collectors and culture officers have been directed to send details of the living Padma awardees including the collector’s certificate, bank account details to the directorate of Odia Language, Literature and Culture as soon as possible. This will facilitate transfer of assistance through DBT.

The move comes in the wake of the challenges faced by Daitari Naik, a 75-year-old tribal farmer and Padma Shri awardee, who struggled to find work after receiving the prestigious award. His situation highlighted the need for such financial assistance.

In June 2019, the Odisha government first introduced a monthly honorarium for Padma awardees, and this initiative has been consistently supported and strengthened by successive governments. Most recently, in March 2024, the BJD-led government had promised a monthly honorarium of Rs. 25,000 in the lead-up to the General Elections. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had raised the monthly honorarium from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000 in November last year.

There are 55 Padma awardees who will benefit from the decision. The enhanced honourarium will cost the state exchequer Rs. 2 crore per year.