Bhubaneswar, July 2 (IANS): The Odisha government on Saturday said that three lakh more beneficiaries would be included in the social security pension schemes that already cover 40 lakh people in the state.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the list of new beneficiaries would be ready by August 15.

"My aim is to include all eligible beneficiaries in the social security network. I am keen to announce that the state government has decided to include three lakh more beneficiaries in the social security pension schemes," said the Chief Minister.

Patnaik said the government would spend Rs 115 crore from state coffers for this purpose.

So far, 40 lakh people are covered under different social security pension schemes, he added.

Maintaining that old men and women, widows and physically challenged persons have the right to live with dignity in the society, he said that the state government has always given top priority to the social security of the poor people.