Bhubaneswar: The state government of Odisha plans to establish a centre of excellence named the Odisha Resource Center for Ageing & Divyangjan (ORCAD) to oversee the welfare of the elderly and differently abled population. The centre will anchor a statewide multi-tier system for ageing and disability governance, as proposed by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department.
Monitoring and Implementation
The centre will monitor the implementation of schemes and services meant for both groups, ensuring that no individual is left outside the government's social security net. A high-level consultative meeting on the proposed centre was held on Wednesday, where officials discussed the centre's structure and objectives.
Lifecycle Approach
Officials stated that the centre will follow a lifecycle approach and track a child born with disability from birth. A similar tracking system will also cover children who develop disabilities later in life and elderly people who become disabled with age. This approach aims to address the diverse needs of these populations across their lifespan.
Coordination Across Departments
Currently, several departments run different schemes and services for the differently abled and elderly population. Due to structural gaps, many beneficiaries either fail to avail the benefits meant for them or have to run from one office to another. ORCAD will coordinate across departments and institutions to help this vulnerable population access schemes and services seamlessly, an official explained.
Four-Tier Structure and Care ID
The proposed model includes a four-tier structure from gram panchayat to state level for service delivery and governance, along with a unified data and Care ID system to track individuals across services. Each beneficiary will be assigned a Care ID to monitor the implementation of schemes and services. This system is expected to enhance transparency and efficiency in service delivery.
Consultative Meeting Insights
At the meeting, principal secretary Suresh Kumar Vashishth stressed the importance of developing responsive and inclusive systems to address the complex and intersecting needs emerging from demographic transition. He emphasized that the centre should be a model for other states to follow.
Strengthening Convergence
The centre is expected to strengthen convergence among departments such as health and family welfare, school and mass education, higher education, Mission Shakti, panchayati raj and drinking water, and women and child development. This inter-departmental collaboration is crucial for holistic support to the target groups.
Vision for ORCAD
Director Parul Patawari said that ORCAD is envisioned as a knowledge and resource hub to support research, capacity building, and policy innovation. She stressed the need for institutional mechanisms that can translate data and insights into effective and scalable interventions while embedding inclusion within the state's governance architecture. The centre aims to become a benchmark for inclusive governance in India.
