Udupi: Udupi District Congress Campaign Committee President Alevoor Harish Kini has welcomed the state government’s decision to increase the income limit for beneficiaries of various social security pension schemes and congratulated the Congress-led government for the move.
Income limit raised for social security benefits
The Revenue Department implements several social security schemes for vulnerable and economically weaker sections, widows and persons with disabilities.
These include the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Widow Pension Scheme, Disability Pension Scheme, Sandhya Suraksha Yojana, Manaswini Yojana and Maithri Yojana.
According to Harish Kini, the income limit for schemes such as the National Family Benefit Scheme and funeral assistance scheme has been increased from Rs 32,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
He welcomed the decision and expressed appreciation to the state government, saying the revised limits could help more families access social security support.
Appeal to speed up beneficiary verification
Harish Kini said beneficiary verification has been underway for several months and has caused difficulties for many eligible beneficiaries.
He appealed to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Revenue Minister G Parameshwara to complete the verification process at the earliest and ensure that eligible beneficiaries with an annual income within the revised limit of Rs 1.20 lakh receive their pension benefits without delay.
Call for changes to BPL card criteria
Harish Kini also said BPL cards are being reviewed in accordance with directions from the Union government and that several cards have already been cancelled.
He urged the BJP-led Union government to reconsider the existing criteria for BPL cards and increase the prevailing income limit, keeping in mind the difficulties faced by economically weaker sections.