Haryana not to issue senior citizen cards

Pradeep Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 13

The BJP-JJP government has done away with the practice of issuing the senior citizen cards, which were currently being used by the people to avail of a host of facilities offered by the Centre and the state.

The senior citizens will now be able use other alternative documents, including Aadhaar card, electoral photo identity cards, PAN card, driving licence, passport and educational certificates to establish their identity for various government benefits.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Om Prakash Yadav said there were a number of documents through which the senior citizens could establish their identity, so the practice of issuing of the senior citizen cards had been discontinued. However, the state would make sure that senior citizens did not face any difficulty while availing the benefits of various government schemes, he said.

The officials said the Principal Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment Department, had ordered all district social welfare officers across the state to not issue the senior citizens cards.

The card procured under the scheme was used by the senior citizens for availing of old age pensions, 50 per cent concession in public transport and certain income tax benefits.