Rs 145 crore recovered from 2.4L pension beneficiaries in Punjab

The Social Security, Women and Child Development Department has recovered Rs 145.73 crore earlier released in the names of 2.44 lakh ineligible and deceased beneficiaries under the state pension scheme. The recovery follows a comprehensive survey by the department to verify beneficiaries across the state.

Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr Baljit Kaur emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the rightful disbursement of pension.

The state has disbursed Rs 2,505.52 crore to 33.58 lakh beneficiaries under the pension scheme during the current year (2024-25). A monthly pension of Rs 1,500 is provided to the elderly, widows, dependent children and the disabled.

The survey report for the financial year 2022-23 showed that pension was released in the names of around 1.23 lakh ineligible and deceased beneficiaries, leading to the recovery of Rs 77.91 crore.

Similarly, in 2023-24, around 1.07 lakh beneficiaries were identified as ineligible and deceased, resulting in a recovery of Rs 41.22 crore. During 2024-25 (as of July 2024), Rs 26.59 crore has been recovered from 14,160 such beneficiaries.