The “Pension to Indigent Sportspersons of Odisha” scheme, launched by the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha, is designed to provide financial support to former sportspersons who are living in indigent conditions. This scheme targets sports persons of yesteryears who have represented the State of Odisha in recognized sporting disciplines. In addition, the scheme extends pension benefits to the surviving spouse of a deceased pensioner under similar conditions.
Benefits
-
Monthly Pension:
Eligible sportspersons receive a pension of ₹3,000/- per month. -
Surviving Spouse Pension:
The surviving spouse of a deceased pensioner may also receive a pension, subject to the submission of the required documents (e.g., death certificate, legal heir certificate). -
Mode of Payment:
The pension is drawn from the Treasury and credited to the beneficiary’s bank account every month (or as per the interval decided by the Sports & Youth Services Department) through an electronic transfer.
Eligibility
- Residency:
The applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha. - Age Criteria:
- For males: at least 50 years of age.
- For females: at least 40 years of age.
Note: These age limits may be relaxed by up to 10 years for sportspersons who have been suddenly incapacitated by an injury, physical handicap, or serious ailment resulting in premature withdrawal from active sports (a Medical Board Certificate is mandatory in such cases).
- Sports Representation:
The applicant should have represented the State of Odisha in sporting disciplines recognized by the Sports & Youth Services Department (refer to Annexure-I for details). - Income Criteria:
The applicant’s total annual income from all sources should not exceed ₹50,000/- (as verified by an Income Certificate from the Revenue authority). - Criminal Record:
The applicant should be free from any criminal convictions. - Additional Note on Age:
Age is calculated as on the date of application.
Cessation of Pension
- Natural Cessation:
The pension is ceased upon the death of the pensioner. - Surviving Spouse:
The surviving spouse may apply for pension benefits under the same scheme. - Voluntary Withdrawal:
A pensioner may voluntarily opt-out of receiving the pension. - Reassessment:
The Department reserves the right to cease pension payments if it is found that the pensioner is no longer in indigent conditions. In such cases, the Department may recover the amount already disbursed (with an interest of 18% per annum). - Fraudulent Claims:
If the pension is obtained by unfair or fraudulent means, the Department may also cease the pension and take appropriate legal/administrative actions.
Application Process
Online Process
- Access the Portal:
Visit the official online portal at https://portal.sportsodisha.gov.in/Citizen/Landing. - Registration:
If you are a new user, register by providing your details (mobile number, email, etc.) and create your account. - Login:
Sign in using your Login ID and password. - View Services:
Once logged in, navigate to the “Sports Services” option and click ‘OK’ to display your dashboard. - Profile Update:
Complete your profile by entering the required details and checking the ‘Application Status.’ - Apply for Pension:
Click the ‘Apply Pension’ option and fill in all required details in the application form. After verifying the entered data, click the ‘Save’ button. The application status will then be updated in the dashboard. - Application Tracking:
You can track your application status online through the official website, and relevant updates will be sent to your registered mobile number.
Offline Process
While the primary process is online, guidelines and manual assistance are provided via the Sports User Manual available on the official portal.
Documents Required
- Identity Proof:
Copy of Aadhaar Card. - Birth Certificate:
A copy of the birth certificate. - Photographs:
Recent passport-size photographs. - Bank Details:
Photocopy of the bank passbook or a cancelled cheque showing the account number, IFSC, and MICR code. - Disability Certificate:
(If applicable) Certificate verifying any disability. - Income Proof:
Income Certificate from the Revenue authority. - Sports/Achievements Certificates:
Documents to prove representation in sports (as specified in Annexure-I). - Other Documents:
Any other documents as required by the scheme.
Life Certificate
- In January each year, pensioners must personally appear before the District Sports Officer (DSO) of the concerned district to furnish a Life Certificate in the prescribed form (Annexure-IV).
- The DSO must forward/upload the Life Certificate to the Sports & Youth Services Department by 10th February for pension renewal.
- Failure to submit the Life Certificate by the deadline will result in non-renewal of the pension.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the objective of this pension scheme?
To provide financial support to indigent sportspersons of Odisha who have represented the state in recognized sporting disciplines. - Which department has launched this scheme?
The scheme is launched by the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha. - Who is eligible for this pension?
Registered building or construction workers who are indigent and meet the specified age, sports representation, and income criteria. - Is there an income limit for eligibility?
Yes, the total annual income must not exceed ₹50,000/-. - What is the quantum of pension provided under the scheme?
Eligible sportspersons receive ₹3,000/- per month. - What are the conditions for cessation of the pension?
The pension ceases upon the death of the pensioner, voluntary withdrawal, reassessment if the pensioner is no longer indigent, or if fraudulent means are involved. - Is the surviving spouse of a deceased pensioner eligible for the pension?
Yes, the surviving spouse may apply for the pension benefits. - What will be the mode of payment?
The pension is disbursed monthly through e-Transfer to the beneficiary’s registered bank account. - How can I apply for the sports pension?
Applications can be submitted online through the JKBOCWWB portal. - What if I fail to submit the Life Certificate by the deadline?
If the Life Certificate is not submitted by the prescribed deadline, the pension will not be renewed for that year.