Bhubaneswar, 12 November (H.S.): Odisha Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahalinga on Thursday attended a pension distribution programme under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana and launched the Unified Pension Management Portal (UPMP) at the Jadumani Pradhan Auditorium in Bargarh district.

As many as 15,277 new eligible beneficiaries aged above 60 years have been included under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana in Bargarh district, the minister said in a social media post.

The newly launched Unified Pension Management Portal aims to make the pension distribution system more transparent, corruption-free and accessible. Eligible applicants can now submit their applications online either directly or through Common Service Centres (CSCs) and Block Development Officer (BDO) offices.

A special awareness vehicle was also flagged off to educate people about the pension scheme, its benefits and the application process.

On the occasion, Mahalinga also laid the foundation stones for several healthcare infrastructure projects in the district.

These include an Ama Hospital at Dava Community Health Centre at an estimated cost of Rs 3.22 crore, an Ama Hospital at Talpali Community Health Centre at Rs 4.02 crore, and another at Bhatli Community Health Centre at Rs 4.16 crore.

The foundation stone was also laid for an Ama Hospital at Attabira Community Health Centre at a cost of Rs 4.20 crore. In addition, a 60-bed attendant rest house at the Cancer Hospital in Bargarh will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.14 crore.

The five projects together involve an estimated investment of Rs 19.74 crore and are expected to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve patient facilities in the district.

Bargarh MLA Ashwini Kumar Sarangi, Bhatli MLA Irashis Acharya, Bijepur MLA Sanat Kumar Gartia, Attabira MLA Nihal Ranjan Mahananda, Municipal Council Chairperson Kalpana Majhi, the District Collector and other distinguished guests attended the programme.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda