Delhi Cabinet on Monday, gave its formal approval for inclusion of another 40,000 beneficiaries under the old age pension scheme. The Cabinet proposal also made it clear that the cap is not being increased to 3.90 lakh permanently, but is being allowed as a special case only to regularise assistance already extended without the approval of the competent authority. The department may complete the exercise of bringing back to cap 3.5 lakh beneficiaries in next three to six months
According to the Cabinet note, the department should fix responsibility against the delinquent officials, who are responsible for sanctioning assistance in excess of what is approved by the Cabinet. The Cabinet also approved to link this scheme with Aadhar card or national population register data for monitoring the scheme in the right perspective and to avoid duplication, if any.
The monthly pension in respect of those aged between 60 to 69 years continues to be Rs 1,000 per month. The pension is remitted through Electronic Clearance Service (ECS) on a quarterly basis. After the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Sheila Diskhit stated that in order to increase the outreach as well as to make the scheme more effective, the need to include more vulnerable person was felt.
The scheme had started with assistance of Rs.50 per month in 1995, enhanced over the years up to Rs 1,000 per month. Further, it was enhanced to Rs 1,500 per month to beneficiaries aged 70 years and above with effect from financial year 2012-13. The monthly pension in respect of beneficiaries from SC/ST/Minorities also went up to Rs 1,500.