Age cap cut set to bring 6.62 lakh new beneficiaries under Aasara umbrella

Hyderabad: Panchayat Raj Minister E Dayakar Rao said that 6.62 lakh new pensioners would be added in the Aasara pension scheme by decreasing the age limit from 65 to 57. The minister said that enhanced pensions would be disbursed after March.

The minister was replying to a question raised by TRS member Ch Dharma Reddy, who wanted to know the money spent by government on pensions during last five years. The minister replied that government spent Rs 27,7869.99 crore so far.

He further said that during the time of inauguration, the total pensioners in the State were 27.38 lakh which increased to 38.72 lakh beneficiaries in 2020. He said that another 6.62 lakh new pensioners would be joining the scheme.

Though there were economic difficulties, the government was continuing the pensions. Replying to another question, the minister said that every month government spends Rs 879 crore on pensions.

The beneficiaries include 6.35 lakh from SCs, 3.22 lakh from STs, 20.83 lakh from BCs, 2.90 lakh from minorities and 4.4 lakh from others.

He said that the Centre was giving only Rs 203 crore whereas State had allocated Rs 11,755 crore in the budget.

The minister assured to take up camps to identify the beneficiaries in the constituencies and added that the increased pensions would be given after March.