Welfare pension brings a whiff of life to the elderly

As people hit old age, those employed in the public sector can retire and live off the pensions and other benefits doled out by the government. Those posted in the private firms, on the other hand, could save enough and secure life post-retirement. But what about the other at-risk group, the non-earning elderly people who depend on others for money? The State Government assists them with welfare pensions.

The government has implemented the pension scheme to help senior citizens without any source of income to be independent for their primary needs. As per the records, more than 46 lakh people receive social security pensions from the State Government, while another 6.5 lakh people draw the welfare fund board pensions. In the past four years of the current administration, a total of 29,770 people were included in the beneficiary list for pensions. The government also scrutinized the list and weeded out the people who are ineligible to get the benefits.

Much to the joy of the elderly citizens, the State has hiked the welfare pensions by ₹100 in the budget. According to the allocation, welfare pensions which currently stand at Rs 1, 500 will go up to Rs 1, 600 from April this year. The government has also set Rs 3,000 pension for NRKs who have returned from the Gulf following job loss. There is good news for the journalists and non-journalists too as the government is hiking their pension amount by Rs 1,000.

The welfare pension has breathed life into many old age people who were struggling to make ends meet during the lockdown. After the pension amount started reaching people, most people moved out of their house and bought their essential things.

The collection agents of various cooperative banks provided the pension at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries during the lockdown. The agents have given away the amount, adhering to all precautionary measures against Covid-19. Before and after giving them money, the agents sterilised hands with sanitisers or hand wash. Agriculture workers, elderly people, the physically challenged, unwed mothers, and widows receive the welfare pensions.

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