JOIN USThe Directorate of Social Security and Pensions has reinstated pension benefits to 83,552 persons besides making provision for giving them pension which they did not get from January to June this year.
Sources in the directorate said that over the last one year, the directorate had verified authenticity of documents submitted by the beneficiaries under four social security and pension schemes (SSP). As many as 8.99 lakh pensions were kept under suspension as they were considered ineligible.
Pensions are given under the categories old age, destitute women, physically challenged and Sandhya Suraksha Yojane. While those who come under the BPL cateogory are eligble for old age pension, those with an annual income of less than Rs 20,000 can avail pension under the Sandhya Suraksha Scheme.
On an average a pensioner gets Rs 400 a month, while for physically challenged, it may go up to Rs 1,000. At present, there are 3,248,133 beneficiaries under all the four SSP schemes. The government spends nearly Rs 180 crore a month towards pension, it is said.
From 30 districts, officials concerned have recommended to the directorate to revoke the suspension of pension to 1,04,369 persons as there were no discrepancies in the documents they had furnished. The directorate has found 83,552 persons eligible.
The highest number of pensioners are from Mandya – 1,89,928, followed by Mysore – 1,68,031 and Shimoga – 1,56,532, and the least is from Kodagu – 23,211.
Sources said the chief secretary has directed the directorate to bring the SSP application process under the ambit of Sakaala scheme.