Odisha Unveils ‘Sahayog’ Initiative To Deliver Welfare Schemes Directly To Urban Poor

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move aimed at enhancing the delivery of welfare benefits to the urban poor, the Odisha government on Thursday launched an ambitious initiative titled ‘Sahayog.’ The programme, inaugurated by state housing and urban development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, is designed to streamline access to multiple government schemes by bringing them directly to the doorsteps of eligible beneficiaries.

Positioned as a coordinated inter-departmental effort, ‘Sahayog’ will initially integrate 13 key welfare schemes under a single platform, ranging from housing and health to social security and financial inclusion programmes. These include the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat health cards, ration cards, Madhu Babu Pension Yojana, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Subhadra Yojana, and enrolments for e-Shram, PM Vishwakarma Yojana, and other essential social welfare services.

Speaking at the launch event, minister Mahapatra emphasised the importance of reaching the marginalised sections of society. “Despite multiple welfare schemes, gaps remain in ensuring benefits reach the grassroots. ‘Sahayog’ will serve as a bridge, ensuring no eligible family is left out of the social security net,” he said, adding that the programme reflects the BJP-led Mohan Majhi government’s commitment to inclusive governance.

The initiative will be rolled out in 44 urban areas across eight districts—Khurda, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj—in its first phase. Frontline workers will conduct extensive door-to-door surveys over the next two months to identify beneficiaries and facilitate their enrolment in relevant schemes.

Plans are also underway to gradually expand the initiative to cover all urban areas in the state, with future proposals to extend similar services to the rural poor. The government believes this targeted, ground-level approach will help uplift economically disadvantaged communities and ensure equitable access to government benefits.