The Odisha government has approved the continuation of major child welfare programmes for another five years, reaffirming its focus on child protection, early education and social security for vulnerable sections of society.
The decision was taken at a State Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday. The Cabinet approved the continuation of Jashoda and its sub-scheme Ashirbad, along with the Malati Devi Prak Vidyalaya Paridhan Yojana, from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Together, the schemes will receive a combined financial allocation of approximately ₹883.49 crore.
₹296.99 Crore for Jashoda and Ashirbad
The Cabinet approved ₹296.99 crore for the continuation of Jashoda and Ashirbad over the next five years.
The schemes are designed to provide financial, educational and social assistance to children facing difficult circumstances. The beneficiaries include children who do not have biological parents, those whose parents are incapacitated, children affected or infected by HIV and children who lost their primary earning member during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government aims to ensure that vulnerable children receive continued support for their education, personal development and social rehabilitation.
Education and Social Security Support
Under the schemes, eligible children can receive assistance for technical education, competitive examination coaching and scholarships. Support is also available under initiatives such as Sukanya Samriddhi, while eligible beneficiaries can receive assistance for marriage-related requirements.
The programme also provides for periodic identification and surveys of orphaned children. The issuance of orphan certificates is intended to help eligible children access various protection, rehabilitation and welfare services.
₹586.50 Crore for Pre-School Clothing Scheme
The Cabinet also approved the continuation of the Malati Devi Prak Vidyalaya Paridhan Yojana for another five years, with an allocation of approximately ₹586.50 crore.
The scheme is implemented through Anganwadi centres and focuses on providing essential clothing and footwear to children in the pre-school age group.
The programme is expected to benefit approximately 14.76 lakh children between three and six years of age every year across Odisha.
Revised Uniform and Clothing Assistance
Under the revised provisions, each pre-school boy will receive two pairs of uniforms at ₹175 per pair, while each girl will receive two pairs at ₹225 per pair.
Every beneficiary will also receive a pair of shoes costing ₹180, along with two pairs of socks and a sweater costing ₹200. An additional pair of socks will also be provided to eligible children enrolled at Anganwadi centres.
The revised provisions are intended to ensure that young children have access to basic clothing and other necessities while attending early childhood education programmes.
Focus on Early Childhood Education
The government expects the scheme to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) across the state.
Officials said the initiative is aimed at improving enrolment and regular attendance at Anganwadi centres while promoting greater equity and inclusion among young children.
The programme is also expected to make the transition from pre-school education to primary schooling smoother by ensuring that children receive basic support during their early years.
Odisha Strengthens Child Welfare Measures
The five-year extension of these programmes reflects the Odisha government’s continued focus on protecting vulnerable children and strengthening early childhood development.
While Jashoda and Ashirbad will provide financial and social security to children facing challenging circumstances, the Malati Devi Paridhan scheme will support millions of pre-school children with essential clothing and footwear.
With a combined allocation of ₹883.49 crore, the initiatives are expected to play an important role in strengthening child welfare, education and social protection across Odisha through 2030-31.
