JawalaMukhi: A recipient of the monthly oldage pension being given by the Himachal State Government, Fakir Chand, 82, a resident of Raja Ka Talab, says a hike of 50 per cent will now enable him in making up his diurnal needs. Like him another handicapped pensioner from Nagri, Bhura Ram, 70 terms this decision historical. Saina Devi, a female pensioner of Palampur Sub-Division says an enhancement of Rs.100/- in the pension is a new year gift from Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal for the poor, weaker and neglected sections of the state.
Even the data released by different governmental and non-governmental organizations put Himachal Pradesh on the top in spending on human development in the country. The per capita outlay for the social sector by the State is the highest in the country. The State government spends around 50 per cent of its total plan outlay under various social welfare schemes.
It is not for the first time that the State government under Dhumal has increased the monthly social security pension being given to the eligible persons. Earlier, it was in 1998, the then BJP government headed by him hiked the pension to Rs.150 from Rs.100. Again, he announced a raise of Rs.50 in the monthly pension in the year 2000. The present enhancement of 50 per cent in the pension will directly benefit 237,250 pensioners of the State under the oldage, widow, physically challenged and leper categories. It is also interesting to note that in 1977, the erstwhile state government under Shanta Kumar gave a significant hike of 67 per cent in the social security pension and raised it from Rs.30 to Rs.50. The social security pension scheme was launched in the state on Nov 01, 1971 with an amount of Rs.30/- per month.
In Kangra district a total of 45,268 are being benefitted under the scheme. It includes 21,902 oldage pensioners, 10,749 widows and 4,047 under the physically challenged category. The National Oldage Pension Scheme also serves 4,655 persons. The District Welfare Department spends over 14crore annually under various pension schemes.
To be benefitted under oldage pension scheme, a person should be above 60 and as per the conditions laid down for widow, handicapped and leper pension schemes, his personal annual income should be less than Rs.6,000 and family income should not exceed Rs.11,000.
(Photo by Disha Singh)
Calling this as old-age pension is misleading – if someone has children above the age of 21, the person is not entitled – so correct name is Destitute Pension.
Secondly hike of Rs 100/- is also needs to be examined. till this year the pension was Rs 200/- out of which Rs 100/- was central Government money and equal amount was paid by State Government. Now the Central Government has raised its share to Rs 200/- but the State Government has failed to raise its share – ideally it should be Rs 400/- like in Haryana.
Also the Haryana pattern is the most idle in India – it factually pays Old-age pension meaning that every resident of haryana at the age of 65 is entitled to get the pension whether she/he has children or no children.
The Ekal naree Shakti sangathan is asking Himachal Government to follow this.
Nice information by Mr. Mendhapurkar. I did not notice such an information in any media. perhaps we are served with ready-made official press notes only, which surely contain advertising content.