Ahead Of Delhi Polls, Arvind Kejriwal Says 80,000 Beneficiaries To Be Added To Old-Age Pensioners' List

The AAP Supremo claimed that Delhi offers the highest pension rates in the country, with Rs 2,000 provided to individuals aged 60-69 and Rs 2,500 for those aged 70 and above.

The Delhi government launched a portal for the elderly to apply for pensions.

Source : PTI

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal announced on Monday that 80,000 people are now eligible for old-age pensions, which means the total number of such beneficiaries has risen to 5.3 lakh. While speaking at a press conference, he said that the Delhi government was committed to social welfare and highlighted that the decision to pay old-age pensions to more people was made after the cabinet approved it on Sunday.

The Delhi government launched a portal for the elderly to apply for pensions. It has already received 10,000 applications, Kejriwal claimed. "It is a sin to stop the pensions of old people," Kejriwal said, accusing the BJP of halting pensions during his imprisonment.

"After coming out, we not only restarted the halted pensions but also added 80,000 new beneficiaries," he said. After this addition, the total number of pensioners in Delhi is around 5.3 lakh, Kejriwal added.

#WATCH | Delhi: AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal says, "Today we have brought good news for the elderly of Delhi. 80,000 old age pensions are being opened. Now a total of 5.3 lakh elderly people will get pensions. It has been passed by the cabinet and the Delhi government… pic.twitter.com/6hViFEV78U

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2024

The AAP Supremo claimed that Delhi offers the highest pension rates in the country, with Rs 2,000 provided to individuals aged 60-69 and Rs 2,500 for those aged 70 and above.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj were also present at the press conference.  

Atishi reaffirmed the government’s dedication to serving the people, while Bharadwaj announced plans to extend Rs 5,000 monthly pension to differently-abled individuals.

In its effort to include more senior citizens, the Delhi government has started accepting applications for the pension scheme via its e-district portal. The application window will be open until three weeks have passed or 80,000 applications are submitted.

Applicants must be 60 or above, have lived in Delhi for at least five years and the annual income of the family is below Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, they should not receive any other pension or financial assistance from the central or state government.