2 hrs ago
State Raises Monthly Pensions to ₹1,500 for 82 Lakh Beneficiaries
The state has increased monthly pensions for older people, widows and people with disabilities.
The payment is now ₹1,500 instead of ₹1,000.
This change affects about 82 lakh people.
The government says it will cost an extra ₹6,000 crore each year.
Before the election, it had promised to double the pension.
Officials said financial problems prevented the full doubling for now.
The old waiting list has been cancelled.
People who qualify can apply again at special government camps in late November or early December.
Pensions for 82 lakh old-age, widow and disability beneficiaries rose from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 monthly.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said the increase will cost the state an additional ₹6,000 crore annually.
The government said it could not double pensions as promised before the polls because of financial constraints.
The previous waiting list has been cancelled, with fresh applications to be accepted through Jana Kalyan Shibirs.
Officials said verification found about 25,000 ineligible urban beneficiaries and around five lakh ineligible rural beneficiaries.
- Who
- The state government, led by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, and 82 lakh old-age, widow and disability pension beneficiaries.
- What
- Monthly pension payments were increased from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500.
- Where
- The announcement was made at Nabanna, with payments transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
- When
- The increase was announced and transferred on Monday; fresh applications are expected in late November or early December.
- Why
- The government cited financial constraints, while saying the increase would address pension support and that further enhancement could come later.
Key facts
- New monthly pension
- ₹1,500
- Previous monthly pension
- ₹1,000
- Beneficiaries receiving enhanced payments
- 82 lakh
- Estimated annual additional cost
- ₹6,000 crore
- Urban ineligible beneficiaries identified
- About 25,000
- Rural ineligible beneficiaries identified
- About five lakh
- Fresh application channel
- Jana Kalyan Shibirs
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
Chief minister who announced the pension increase and application changes
“The eligible who were not getting the pensions would get a chance to apply for the benefits through the Janakalyan Shibirs to be held at the end of November or early December. The waiting list of the names of beneficiaries of the pension scheme drawn up during the tenure of the previous government stands cancelled.”
telegraphindia.com
“Because of financial irregularities, leak of revenue and non-participation in central government schemes during the tenure of the previous government, the state coffers are struggling. It will take at least a year to repair the damage. This is why we could not enhance the pension as announced before the polls.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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