Bhubaneswar, August 12: The Odisha State Cabinet led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday approved the proposal for continuation of the State Sector Scheme "Jashoda" along with its sub-scheme "Ashirbad" for a further period of five years, spanning from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The projected total budget of the scheme is fixed at Rs 2296.99 crore.

The scheme aims at providing a robust financial, educational, and social safety net for children living without biological parents, children with incapacitated parents, children affected/infected by HIV, and children who lost their primary bread earners during the COVID-19 pandemic window.

The projected total budget of the scheme is fixed at Rs 2296.99 crore for a period of five years, funded entirely by the State Government under the Demand for Grants of the Women & Child Development Department.

Under the state sector scheme "Jashoda", provisions for technical education, coaching for competitive examinations, scholarships, Sukanya Samriddhi assistance, marriage assistance, periodic surveys of orphan children, and the issuance of orphan certificates are made for protection, care, rehabilitation, and holistic development of children in difficult circumstances.

Ashirbad scheme has been implemented in the state as a sub scheme under the Jashoda with which provides monthly financial support through DBT and other convergent support to children who lost both/ primary bread earning parent during the COVID 19 pandemic.