Naveen announces free umbrellas

The Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha, which completed the fourth year of its third term today announced Rs 100 each for 33 lakh differently abled persons to buy umbrellas against rain and shine.
The Rs 100 would be also be paid to widows, the aged and destitutes for purchase of umbrellas to tide over summer and the rainy season.
"Our government will continue to undertake welfare programmes with the blessings of the people of Odisha," Patnaik told reporters here.
Patnaik, the BJD president, said that one time assistance of Rs 100 would also be given to 16 lakh Madubabu pension holders and about 17 lakh national pension holders.

"An amount of Rs 33 crore will be spent to assist about 33 lakh beneficiaries," he said.
During his third term, Patnaik had taken up a series of populist measures like Rs 1 a kg rice for the poor, bicycles for construction workers, free laptops for tribal and dalit students, mobile phones for farmers and fishermen and others sops.
Patnaik during last winter had given Rs 200 each to pensioners for buying blankets.