CHANDIGARH: Punjab is all set to hike social security monthly pension from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 from July 1.
A notification to the effect has been issued by the social security, women and child development department.
A department spokesman said the notification has paved the way for doubling of old age pension, handicapped persons, widow and destitute women besides dependent children in line with the commitment made by the state government during the budget session this year.
To double monthly pension from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500, budgetary outlay of Rs 4,000 crore was allocated in 2021-22, signifying an increase of 72% from the 2020-21 budgetary outlay of Rs 2,320 crore.
Meanwhile, social security pension amounting to Rs 2,089 crore was disbursed in 2019-20 and Rs 2,277 crore in 2020-21.
A total of 25.55 lakh beneficiaries, including 13 lakh belonging to Scheduled Caste, were provided pension in 2020-21.
The chief minister also recently announced free education up to graduation for children orphaned in the Covid pandemic as well as families that have lost their breadwinning member from July 1, 2021 onwards.