The Odisha government on Thursday (May 1, 2025) rolled out SAHAJOG, a pioneering initiative designed to facilitate access to government welfare schemes for the urban poor. The scheme aims to identify eligible beneficiaries in urban areas and ensure they benefit from a range of social welfare measures.

Inaugurated by Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, the State Minister for Housing and Urban Development, SAHAJOG seeks to bridge the gap between urban poverty and available state assistance through a multi-pronged approach. These include mass awareness campaigns, doorstep delivery of services, and enhanced implementation mechanisms at both the Urban Local Body (ULB) and district levels.

The initiative has been scaled up following the success of a pilot project that was conducted in six ULBs, covering 5,000 households. The pilot phase was instrumental in identifying crucial gaps and refining strategies to reach the most vulnerable sections of the population effectively.

In its initial rollout, SAHAJOG will focus on 14 key welfare schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), the provision of ration cards under the National Food Security Act, pipe water supply, issuance of Ayushman Cards, identification of persons with disabilities, and the Subhadra Yojana, among others.

The first phase of the project will be implemented in 44 ULBs across eight districts, benefiting an estimated 15 lakh residents. These districts—Khordha, Cuttack, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Bhadrak—have been selected due to their relatively higher urban poor populations. Over time, the initiative is expected to be expanded to all ULBs across the State.

The initiative will follow a fast-track, campaign-mode approach during its first two months. Community volunteers and frontline workers will receive performance-based incentives, ensuring their active involvement in the execution. At the operational level, interdepartmental committees have been established at both State and district levels to ensure smooth coordination and efficient execution. The district committees will be chaired by the respective District Collectors.

The State government has positioned SAHAJOG as part of its broader developmental goals, aligning it with the “Viksit Odisha” and “Viksit Bharat” missions to accelerate inclusive growth and social welfare across urban sectors.

Police arrested eight persons on Thursday for their alleged involvement in the murder of a person that took place at Pulakurthi village in Kurnool district on April 28 (Monday). The deceased, Boya Nadipi Rangadu, was attacked with sticks by the accused at Gudur bus stand in Pulakurthi, leading to his death.

According to the police, Rangadu’s nephew Suresh had some disputes with the main accused, Boya Munuswami, over minor issues, since last year. The two used to be at loggerheads with each other and challenged to kill one other whenever they met. They had a clash during a village fair recently.

Following the clash, the village elders held a meeting to settle the differences between the two, during which Suresh abused and humiliated Munuswami. On April 26, Munuswami enquired with some villagers about the whereabouts of Suresh and threatened to kill him, if he was found.

After hearing about this, the deceased called Munuswami and asked the latter to come for a meeting and settle the issue. Munuswami did not attend the meeting, but attacked Suresh and Nadipi Rangadu along with his friends, leading to the death of Nadipi Rangadu. Munuswami and his seven other associates were arrested on Thursday.