Writeup AP 2011-12 - Punjab State Planning Board

Social Security
Ongoing Scheme
State Funded Scheme
SW (S)-4 Old age pension (Social Security Fund)
479
Outlay - Rs. 43500.00 lac
11.11.11 In order to provide social security to the senior citizens, the state government
introduced ‘Old age pension’ scheme in the year 1964. Under this scheme, pension was
granted to the eligible persons @ Rs. 200/- per month. The rate has been enhanced to Rs.
250/- per month wef 2006-07. As per the existing policy, the eligibility criteria is as under:-
(1) The applicant should be 60 years or above in case of women and 65 years
or above in case of men. The state government has lowered the age limit
in case of women pensioners from 60 years to 58 years wef 2011-12.
(2) The applicant should not have monthly income more than Rs. 1000/- in
case of single person and Rs. 1500/- in case of couple, from all sources.
(3) Following persons shall not be eligible for financial assistance.
(a) If applicant or his/her children are VAT or Sales Tax assesses.
(b) A class I or class II officer or having equivalent status or having
private job as class II officer or getting salary of Rs. 4000/- per
month.
(c) If children of the applicant are doctor, advocate, chartered
accountant, income tax consultant, financial or administrator adviser,
engineers, agriculturist or a contractor.
(d) If applicant's children are income tax assesses.
11.11.12 Now the work relating to processing of applications and sanction of the
pensions has been transferred to Panchayati Raj Institutions. An outlay of Rs. 100776.00 lac
was provided for the 10 th Five Year Plan against which an expenditure of Rs. 85370.73 lac
was incurred. An amount of Rs. 210000.00 lac is provided for 11 th Five Year Plan. An
expenditure of Rs. 33153.25 lac was incurred during 2007-08 with which 11,56,129
beneficiaries were covered. An expenditure of Rs. 34933.55 lac was incurred to cover
12,28,914 beneficiaries during 2008-09. An expenditure of Rs. 33861.29 lac was incurred to
cover 13,48,170 beneficiaries during 2009-10. An expenditure of Rs. 44534.36 lac was
incurred to cover 1,39,3852 beneficiaries during 2010-11. An outlay of Rs. 43500.00 lac is
provided in the Annual Plan 2011-12 to cover 14,50,000 beneficiaries.