The Odisha State Cabinet has approved the continuation of three major welfare programmes aimed at strengthening child protection, education and basic support for children across the state. The decisions cover the Jashoda and Ashirbad schemes as well as the Malati Devi Prak Vidyalaya Paridhan Yojana, with the programmes set to continue for another five years.
The Cabinet has approved a combined financial outlay of ₹883.50 crore for the initiatives during the period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The schemes are expected to provide continued assistance to vulnerable children while also supporting pre-school education and creating livelihood opportunities for women-led groups involved in the supply of school uniforms.
Jashoda, Ashirbad Schemes To Continue
The Cabinet approved the continuation of the state-sector scheme Jashoda along with its sub-scheme Ashirbad for five more years. The two programmes will have a total budgetary allocation of ₹296.99 crore during the five-year period.
The expenditure will be borne entirely by the Odisha government through the Demand for Grants of the Women and Child Development Department.
The Jashoda scheme is designed to provide a social and financial safety net to children who face difficult family circumstances. Its beneficiaries include children without biological parents, those whose parents are unable to provide care because of incapacitation, children affected or infected by HIV, and children who lost their primary earning member during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Support For Education And Future Prospects
The scheme goes beyond immediate financial assistance and focuses on the long-term development of beneficiaries.
Support is available for technical education, competitive examination coaching, scholarships, Sukanya Samriddhi assistance and marriage-related support. The programme also provides for periodic identification and surveys of orphaned children.
Authorities can issue orphan certificates to eligible children, helping them access protection, rehabilitation and other welfare measures.
The continuation of the scheme is expected to ensure that vulnerable children receive uninterrupted support as they pursue education and work towards becoming financially and socially independent.
Pre-School Children To Receive Uniforms And Other Essentials
The Cabinet has also approved the continuation of the Malati Devi Prak Vidyalaya Paridhan Yojana from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
The scheme has been designed to provide essential clothing and footwear to children attending pre-school through Anganwadi Centres. The government has revised the unit costs of uniforms, shoes, socks and sweaters under the renewed programme.
Under the revised provisions, each pre-school boy will receive two pairs of uniforms at ₹175 per pair, while each pre-school girl will receive two pairs at ₹225 per pair.
Each beneficiary will also receive one pair of shoes and two pairs of socks at a cost of ₹180, along with a sweater costing ₹200.
14.76 Lakh Children Expected To Benefit Every Year
The programme is expected to cover approximately 14.76 lakh pre-school children between three and six years of age every year across Odisha.
The government expects the initiative to support children’s participation in early education and make their transition from pre-school to primary education smoother.
Providing uniforms and other basic necessities through Anganwadi Centres is also expected to reduce the financial burden on families and encourage children to attend pre-school programmes regularly.
Scheme To Generate Livelihood Opportunities
The benefits of the Malati Devi Paridhan scheme are expected to extend beyond children.
The government plans to involve Self Help Groups (SHGs), SHG federations and Subhadra beneficiaries in stitching and supplying uniforms. This could provide additional livelihood opportunities and strengthen the participation of women-led community organisations in government programmes.
The scheme has received a total financial outlay of ₹586.51 crore for the five-year period.
Focus On Child Protection And Early Education
The latest Cabinet decisions underline the Odisha government’s focus on strengthening social protection for vulnerable children while improving access to early childhood education.
With the continuation of Jashoda and Ashirbad, vulnerable children are expected to receive sustained educational and financial assistance. At the same time, the Malati Devi Prak Vidyalaya Paridhan Yojana will provide essential items to millions of pre-school children across the state.
Together, the three initiatives represent a combined investment of ₹883.50 crore over five years and are aimed at improving child welfare, supporting families and strengthening Odisha’s early education ecosystem.
