Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, linking Jan Samvad with the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra,’ embodies a service-focused approach. The Yatra aims to connect every Indian with nation-building for a developed India by 2047, as declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As part of this initiative, a special camp was organized in the Sonipat district for new beneficiaries of the Old Pension. The Chief Minister digitally approved pensions for 3,000 new beneficiaries simultaneously.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Sh. Manohar Lal stated that, like Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, he has pledged to work towards the service of the nation, social service, and human service. The present state government has been working for the welfare of the people for the past 9 years. He emphasized considering Haryana’s population of 2.80 crores as his own family, and as the head of the family, he continuously strives to alleviate every sorrow and trouble faced by the people.
Previously, the process to avail old-age pensions was lengthy, and pensions were not granted. However, the government has put an end to this, and now, with the help of PPP, pension is automatically granted on the day a person turns 60, said Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister informed that from May 2022, the Old Age Pension has been linked to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and pensions for 1,82,000 people have been made automatically.
Manohar Lal stated that for those wrongly availing pension benefits before the age of 60, orders were issued to recover the amount. He ordered half of the pension amount to be recovered as a monthly deduction, exempting families of individuals who have passed away. The present state government has increased the pension amount from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2750 monthly, and from January 2024, a monthly pension of Rs. 3000 will be provided. The eligibility criteria for pensions have been revised, increasing the income limit from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh.Manohar Lal highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s benefits to the poor through the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, providing free medical treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh. The Haryana government extended these benefits to families with an annual income ranging from Rs. 1.80 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh.
The Chief Minister mentioned the Varishth Nagrik Seva Ashram for the care of elderly citizens aged over 80 years, living alone. The government aims to build ashrams at district headquarters, with construction already underway in 14 districts.
MP Ramesh Chander Kaushik, Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj Kumar, MLAs Mohan Lal Kaushik, Nirmal Choudhary, Chairman Zilla Parishad Monika Dahiya, and officers were present at the occasion.