The Odisha Government has launched a new welfare initiative titled ‘Sahajog’, aimed at providing quick and seamless access to various government welfare schemes for the urban poor. The programme was officially unveiled on May 1, 2025, by Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, marking a significant step toward streamlining social benefits for underprivileged urban households. In its first phase, the initiative will be implemented across 44 municipalities spread over eight districts—Khordha, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Kendujhar, and Mayurbhanj. The objective of Sahajog is to bring together 13 major welfare schemes from eight departments under a single platform, eliminating delays and reducing bureaucratic challenges faced by beneficiaries.

Some of the key schemes being integrated include the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for housing, Ayushman Bharat health insurance, the differently-abled identity card, Subhadra Yojana, labour card registration, the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana, and Sukanya Yojana for girl child welfare. These schemes were selected to ensure holistic support in health, housing, pensions, identity, and financial security for the urban underprivileged. Minister Mohapatra also confirmed that additional schemes will be incorporated into the programme in future phases to broaden its reach and impact.

To implement the initiative effectively, the state government has partnered with the Tata Trusts, which will assist in conducting door-to-door surveys through trained frontline workers. These workers will identify eligible beneficiaries in the selected municipal areas, helping them enroll and benefit from the relevant schemes without delays or administrative hurdles. This groundwork will take place over the next two months, with the goal of reaching as many households as possible.