Kerala government sanctions data entry for people applying for second social welfare pension

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The state government has directed local bodies to begin data entry of welfare pension beneficiaries who had applied for second pension. The government had earlier blocked data entry for second pension while enlisting new norms for scrutinising the applicants.

Sanction was earlier given only for entering the data of applicants who were not receiving any other pension like social security, welfare fund board, EPF or from public sector institutions.

As per new guidelines, persons residing in houses above 1200 sq.ft houses and those who own vehicles with engine capacity of more than 1000 cc (except taxi) shall not be eligible for social welfare pension. New applicants will be eligible for only one pension; either welfare board pension or social welfare pension. Those receiving disability pension shall be eligible for another pension at a rate of Rs 600. Those who have retired from public sector enterprises and receive pension as per the scheme of the enterprise cannot apply for social welfare pension.

The government has allotted social welfare pension to 3.25 lakh new beneficiaries in the state, raising the total number of beneficiaries to 45 lakhs. Since LDF came to power, 10 lakh new beneficiaries have been added over the last three years.

Total Rs 1893 crores has been alloted for disbursal of social welfare pension for Christmas and Rs 253 crores for distribution of pension to various welfare fund boards.