The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has distributed ₹3368.89 crore as pension to 22.68 elderly beneficiaries until December 2024. Providing further details, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the government is committed to the welfare of all sections of society.
She mentioned that there are a total of 34 lakh beneficiaries in the state, including the elderly, divyang persons, widows, destitute women and dependent children. The Cabinet Minister stated that a total of 22.68 lakh elderly beneficiaries in the state have received ₹3,368.89 crore in pensions until December 2024.
She added that the state government has allocated a total budget of ₹5,924.50 crore for various pension schemes, out of which ₹4,000 crore has been earmarked for old age pensions during the current financial year.
The Cabinet Minister explained that individuals aged 65 and above, as well as women aged 58 and above, with an annual income not exceeding ₹60,000, are eligible for this scheme. She further stated that financial assistance is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the Punjab Government is continuously working for the welfare of the elderly, adding that health surveys related to elderly are being conducted across the state.