Shimla: The present state government has sanctioned 99,799 new social security pension cases over the past three years, taking the total number of beneficiaries in the state to 8,41,917. These beneficiaries include senior citizens, widows, single women and Divyaangjans covered under various categories.
Out of the total beneficiaries, 1,04,740 are receiving the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, 5,04,253 the State Old Age Pension, 25,414 the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension, 1,26,808 the widow, destitute and single woman pension, 1,340 the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension and 78,291 the Disability Relief Allowance.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated today that 41,799 new cases of social security pension were approved during the financial year 2023-24, 41,012 in 2024-25 and 16,988 new cases in 2025-26. He further said that the state government has recently approved amendments to the social security pension rules to ensure timely disbursement of pensions. Reiterating the government’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable sections of society, he said that a monthly pension of Rs. 1,500 is being provided to 2,67,040 women up to the age of 69 years under the scheme. He said that the State currently has 5,04,253 old-age pensioners, 1,26,808 widows, destitute and single women beneficiaries, 78,291 recipients under the disability relief allowance, 1,021 beneficiaries receiving rehabilitation allowance for leprosy and 50 transgender pensioners.
Sukhu further said that the state government has decided to enhance the social security pension for persons with 100 percent disability from Rs. 1,700 to Rs. 3,000 per month, benefiting around 7,000 individuals.
He said that one of the most significant reforms undertaken by the state government have been the removal of the income ceiling and the requirement of gram sabha approval for widowed, deserted and single women, as well as for persons with 40-69 percent disability seeking social security pensions. This measure has significantly simplified access to pensions and reduced procedural hurdles, particularly for women and persons with disabilities who often face challenges in navigating administrative processes.
The Chief Minister said, ‘Good governance requires a good government. The present state government is ensuring that the weakest sections of society receive their rightful share of the state’s resources. We have plugged doors of corruption and generated additional revenue, which is being channeled into welfare schemes for those in need.
