Punjab: Widow Ajit Kaur and her 15-year-old disabled grandson Jasbir Singh from Lalchian village in Ferozepur have been running from pillar to post for the past month to arrange money for their daily expenses, including the teenager’s medical expenses. Although both are registered as beneficiaries for widow pension and disability pension, they have not received them since October. “We have had to borrow money to survive,” said Ajit Kaur. They are among the 35.27 lakh social security pensioners in the state whose pensions have been delayed, reportedly due to the state’s financial crunch.
A senior official from the Finance Department told The Tribune that depleting cash reserves have made it difficult for the state government to pay pension dues. These pensions cost the state treasury ₹529 crore every month. Every month, 23.39 lakh old-age pensioners, 6.7 lakh widows, 2.8 lakh disabled people, and 2.38 lakh destitute children receive a pension of Rs 1,500. However, before the 2020 assembly elections, the AAP announced that it would increase the pension to Rs 2,500 per month for each beneficiary, but due to financial constraints, the government was unable to do so. Ujagar Singh (80) and his wife Sukhwinder Kaur (75) from Nadampur village in Sangrur said they would be happier receiving a consistent pension rather than intermittent increased benefits.
Ujagar Singh said, “The government should understand that for most old-age pensioners, especially in rural areas, this is the only source of regular income. When pensions are not received on time, it is embarrassing to keep asking relatives for money.” Punjab Social Security Minister Baljeet Kaur said that there had been delays in pension releases, but they are now being released. He said, “Yesterday, we released pensions for all disabled people, and today, old-age pensions, widow pensions, and pensions for destitute children are being released.” The minister on Thursday announced the launch of the “Saade Buzurg Sada Maan” campaign at the state level, starting January 16. The campaign will provide services such as eye and ENT check-ups, cataract surgery screenings, spectacle distribution, and Ayushman cards. He said the campaign will be relaunched across the state.
Punjab: Over 3.5 million poor affected by pension delays
