TNI Bureau: Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has urged Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi to immediately release pending social security pensions to beneficiaries across Odisha. In a letter to the Chief Minister, Patnaik expressed concern over the reported delay in pension payments for the past three months, saying the situation has caused hardship for elderly persons, widows and persons with disabilities who depend on the assistance for their daily needs.

Naveen said the delay, reportedly caused by software-related issues, has deprived lakhs of beneficiaries of their entitled support. Referring to reports of a widow’s death in Ganjam amid the pension crisis, he said no citizen should suffer due to administrative or technical failures.

He urged the state government to ensure immediate disbursement of all pending pensions, including through manual arrangements if required, and take effective steps to prevent such delays in future. He also called for accountability and timely support for all eligible beneficiaries.