In a bid to ensure timely disbursement of pensions and other financial assistance to different categories of beneficiaries including old, widow, destitute and others at their doorsteps, the Punjab Government has decided to adopt pension distribution system through reputed National banks across the state. A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during a high level meeting held here at the Chief Minister's residence late last evening, for reviewing the present system of disbursing of pensions and Shagun Scheme in the state. Presiding over the meeting Badal directed the Principal Secretary Social Security, Women & Child Development to immediately tie-up with the reputed National banks for streamlining the entire process for facilitating every beneficiary to get the benefits of these schemes at their doorsteps. During the meeting the Chief Minister was apprised that at present there were about 19,77,000 beneficiaries under the various pension scheme in the state. Likewise the officers also told Mr Badal that the Department had cleared the pendency of pensions in ten districts of the state by disbursing Rs. 20 crore adding that they would also disburse Rs. 9 crore under Shagun Scheme by the end of July 2012. Taking part in deliberations Director, Social Security, Women & Child Development informed the Chief Minister that about 4500 branches of different banks were functional in 12500 villages across the state. He said that in its endeavor to facilitate the beneficiaries, the department had already tied up with a few banks for initiating the work of disbursing the pensions and Shaguns in three districts across the state. Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Planning Satish Chandra, Principal Secretary Social Security R. Venkatratnam, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar, Director Social Security, Women & Child Development Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Additional Director Social Security, Women & Child Development Lakha Singh.