Bhubaneswar, Aug. 7: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today expressed displeasure over inadequate release of funds to the needy patients in some districts under the state treatment fund scheme.

While reviewing the progress of various state-funded schemes through a video conference with district collectors, Naveen observed that some of the districts were lagging behind in release of assistance to the needy patients.

Patients belonging to below poverty line (BPL) category and those suffering from critical illness are entitled to financial assistance up to Rs 3 lakh under the scheme.

Naveen stressed on the need for awareness generation starting from the level of primary health centres to district headquarters hospitals.

He also instructed the district collectors to ensure that Class X boy students who come from BPL families purchase bicycles within two months of disbursal of cheques. He advised the officials to disburse the cheques in presence of the students’ parents and local representatives and involve the school management in the programme.

The Odisha government has decided to extend Mamata scheme of providing finance assistance of Rs 5,000 to all pregnant mothers in four instalments to urban areas. Naveen asked the district collectors to ensure that cheques are deposited in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in urban areas.

The chief minister emphasised on regular hearing of public grievances on the scheduled dates. He also advised the district collectors to visit each and every block and subdivision and pay personal attention to redressal of grievances.