Haryana Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Krishan Kumar Bedi on Monday said that there will be an increase of `200 in the pension amount every year for the next five years. As a result, the beneficiaries will draw `2,000 per month at the end of five years, as promised by the BJP in its election manifesto, he said.
In a statement issued, the Minister said that complete transparency is being adopted in disbursement of pensions under social security schemes to ensure that every eligible beneficiary would get benefit of pension. A Budget of `3,451 crore has been made for social security pensions as compared to `2,739 crore during last year.
Bedi said that beneficiaries should get their bank accounts opened it they had not due to any reason. After opening the bank account, the arrears of pension would be credited into it automatically. So far, more than 18 lakh beneficiaries of social security schemes have opened their bank accounts and were getting their pensions through banks. He said that various complaints had been received regarding irregularities in pension distribution during the tenure of previous State Government and a scam of `5 crore in Karnal had also come to notice which was being investigated.
A unique scheme “Thari Pension Thare Hath” had been launched recently to provide pension directly into bank accounts of beneficiaries through banks and post offices to ensure complete transparency in distribution of pension. Pensions were being disbursed through banks and post offices in 2,771 villages and all 81 cities, he added.