Yogi Govt Plans Pension Hike for Elderly, & Disabled; Shiksha Mitras May Finally Get Big Gift

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is poised to bring a wave of good news for lakhs of beneficiaries, particularly the elderly, women, frontline health workers and Shiksha Mitras. The announcement are expected to be made in the upcoming state budget.

The government is planning to raise the monthly pension for elderly citizens from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, Dainik Bhaskar reported citing sources in the finance department. At present, nearly 67.50 lakh senior citizens receive old age pension in Uttar Pradesh, with payments made on a quarterly basis. If approved, this would mark the third increase under the Yogi government, following earlier hikes in 2019 and 2022, reinforcing its focus on social security for vulnerable sections.

Discussions on the proposed hike have already taken place between Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna and Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Deepak Kumar, indicating that the proposal is being examined at the highest level. Similar increases are also being planned for destitute women and persons with disabilities, reflecting a comprehensive approach rather than isolated relief.

Under the destitute women pension scheme, around 38.58 lakh women currently receive ₹1,000 per month. The government is preparing to increase this amount to ₹1,500. Likewise, nearly 11.98 lakh persons with disabilities may soon see their monthly pension rise from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500, offering greater financial stability to families that depend heavily on state support.

After nearly nine years, the government is also moving towards addressing long-pending demands of Shiksha Mitras, a group that has played a crucial role in strengthening primary education in rural areas. Around 1.47 lakh Shiksha Mitras and over 28,000 instructors are likely to benefit from a proposed increase in honorarium. The key discussion revolves around whether the hike should be ₹2,000 per month or higher.

In 2017, soon after assuming office, the Yogi government had increased their honorarium from ₹3,500 to ₹10,000 per month, a jump that demonstrated early intent. Since then, despite legal hurdles and Supreme Court rulings, the government has continued to explore sustainable solutions.

Another major focus area is rural healthcare. Uttar Pradesh has nearly 1.70 lakh ASHA workers, often described as the backbone of the state's healthcare delivery system. Currently earning incentives between ₹2,500 and ₹3,500 per month, ASHA workers may soon receive enhanced payments, recognising their contribution in maternal health, immunisation and disease control.

Additionally, 13,395 leprosy patients, who currently receive a pension of ₹3,000 per month, may see this amount increased to between ₹3,500 and ₹4,000, offering dignity and relief to one of the most vulnerable groups.

Officials estimate that women constitute the majority of beneficiaries across schemes. Of the old age pension recipients, nearly 40 lakh are women, while women dominate the destitute pension and disability pension categories. With ASHA workers included, the government's welfare net is expected to touch nearly one crore women beneficiaries, underscoring the Yogi government's emphasis on inclusive and compassionate governance.

If approved, these measures are likely to strengthen public trust and reaffirm Uttar Pradesh's commitment to welfare-led development.