Haryana to disburse Rs 586 cr in social security schemes

Chandigarh, Jan 9 (UNI) Haryana will disburse a total of Rs 586.64 crore among 15.71 lakh beneficiaries of old age allowance, widow pension and handicapped pension under social security schemes by the end of the current financial year.

Haryana Social Welfare Minister Kartar Devi today said a financial assistance of Rs 375.14 crore had already been disbursed by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department to these beneficiaries.

She said more than 10.74 lakh beneficiaries of old age allowance scheme were being given Rs 300 per month at their doorstep by the seventh of each month.

The Department had made a provision of Rs 374.61 crore to distribute as old age allowance during the current financial year.

She said a survey was conducted in August-October 2005 to identify new beneficiaries.

Mrs Kartar Devi said more than 3.89 lakh beneficiaries of widow pension were getting financial assistance at a rate of Rs 350 per month. A sum of Rs 162.32 crore had been earmarked for this financial assistance during the current financial year. The state government had raised the rate of widow pension from Rs 300 to Rs 350 per month with effect from May 1, last year.

Similarly, about 1.07 lakh beneficiaries were being given handicapped pension at a rate of Rs 300 per month.

Besides, the Minister said the Department had also been giving financial assistance as maintenance amount to the destitute and orphaned children, which had been raised from Rs 450 to Rs 600 per month per child last year.

UNI