Odisha government on July 8, 2019 decided to provide Rs 10,000 per month to Padma award winners of the state facing financial problem. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved this proposal made by the state Culture department.Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award of India after Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awards. These civilian awards are awarded by the Government of India on 26 January, the Republic Day of India each year.
Padma Shri award was first given in the year 1954. This award is awarded to citizens of India in recognition of their contribution in various activities such as the arts, education, literature, industry, cinema, sports, medicine, social service, public affairs, and others.75-year-old tribal farmer Daitari Naik of Talabaitarani village in Keonojhar district, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018 for digging a 3-km long canal through a mountain in Odisha, had openly announced to return the award as he was not given work by the villagers after getting the award.