Bhubaneswar, July 2: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that his government would bring three lakh more people under the social security umbrella in an apparent bid to woo voters ahead of the panchayat elections due early next year.

The government, which is already providing social security pension to 40 lakh people, would have to spend an extra Rs 115 crore on account of the new additions. The new beneficiaries would be enrolled by August 15.

Naveen said social security was one of the focus areas of his government that has been taking all possible steps for the welfare of vulnerable social groups, including senior citizens, widows and people with disabilities.

"This is a priority area for my government," the chief minister said, adding that he wanted all the eligible people to be brought under the social security umbrella.

Earlier, the government had announced its plans to launch two populist self employment schemes - Biju Atma Nijukti Yojana (BANY) and Special Employment Generation Programme (SEGP). While the first one was aimed at helping semi-literate youths become self-employed, the other targeted traditional artisans. The schemes envisaged providing soft bank loans up to Rs 5 lakh with subsidy up to 30 per cent to the targeted beneficiaries.

While seeking to woo voters, the chief minister today also made another significant announcement to counter the Opposition's criticism that his government was not serious about promoting Odia language. Naveen said his government would offer online Odia Cerification Courses for the benefit of non-resident Odias (NROs) globally and students residing outside the state.

The courses will start next year with the Board of Secondary Education, Odisha, conducting examinations twice a year. Certificates issued following the examination would be considered equivalent to Class VII standard Odia.

Sources said the move was the government's response to the request of Odisha Society of Americas and other such organisations. "This will benefit the second generation Odia children living outside the country. They will carry forward the grand legacy of our language," said the chief minister.

School and mass education minister Debi Prasad Mishra said: "There was a demand for such courses from NROs, particularly from those living in the US. This will help Odia children staying abroad learn the language and also obtain a certificate from the Board of Secondary Education."