The Himachal Pradesh government has revealed that a significant portion of its population is now covered under its social security pension schemes. According to an official statement released on Sunday, the state is currently providing financial support to nearly 8.42 lakh beneficiaries. This extensive network aims to assist some of the most vulnerable sections of society, including senior citizens, widows, single women, and Divyaangjans (persons with disabilities).
Breakdown of Pension Beneficiaries
The government provided a detailed category-wise distribution of the pensioners. A total of 1,04,740 individuals are receiving the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension. The state's own Old Age Pension scheme supports a much larger group of 5,04,253 beneficiaries. For widows, 25,414 are covered under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension, while another 1,26,808 receive the Widow, Destitute and Single Woman Pension.
For persons with disabilities, 1,340 receive the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension, and 78,291 are provided Disability Relief Allowance. The data underscores the government's commitment to building a comprehensive social safety net. Over the last three years alone, 99,799 new pension cases have been approved, demonstrating a proactive effort to include all eligible citizens.
Enhanced Financial Support and Special Initiatives
In a move to further strengthen support, the state government increased the monthly pension amount for women beneficiaries. From February 2024, women up to the age of 69 years have been receiving an enhanced pension of Rs 1,500 per month. For persons with disabilities, the social security pensions vary between Rs 1,150 and Rs 1,700 monthly.
Beyond monthly pensions, the state runs several supportive initiatives. In the field of education, disabled students are offered monthly scholarships ranging from Rs 625 to Rs 5,000, with no income restrictions. This initiative has already benefited 3,100 students, with the government spending Rs 3.77 crore on it.
Furthermore, to support the personal milestones of Divyaangjans, the government provides marriage incentive grants. These grants range from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 for marriages involving a person with disability. To date, 212 beneficiaries have received financial assistance under this scheme, totaling Rs 74.49 lakh.
Sustained Efforts for Inclusive Welfare
The release of these figures highlights the sustained efforts of the Himachal Pradesh government to widen its social security coverage. The approval of nearly one lakh new cases in three years reflects a dynamic system aimed at ensuring no eligible person is left behind. The combination of direct pension support, educational scholarships, and special-purpose grants like marriage incentives paints a picture of a multi-pronged approach to social welfare. These schemes collectively work towards providing financial dignity and support to the elderly, women in distress, and persons with disabilities across the state.
