‘Increase amount of pension for elderly poor’

LUCKNOW: HelpAge India has urged the state government to raise the elderly pension amount for the poor and bring more people under the scheme’s ambit.

HelpAge India is a renowned charity that works for the elderly belonging to the underprivileged section of the society.

At present, the UP government gives ₹400 per month pension to the elderly poor in the age group 60-79 years and ₹500 per month to 80 plus people. Around 40 lakh elderly poor are beneficiaries of this pension scheme in the state.

The centre contributes half of this pension amount. HelpAge India has demanded that the government increases this pension amount to ₹2,000 per month from ₹400. Chief operating officer, HelpAge India, Rohit Prasad, was in the state capital on Monday.

“For the last 10 years, the Uttar Pradesh government has not increased the pension amount. In this age of inflation, monthly pension of ₹400 per month is a paltry amount,” said Prasad. “Many states are giving ₹1,000 per month elderly pension. While, Kerala, Delhi and Goa are giving ₹3,800 pension per month,” he added.

HelpAge India has also demanded that the number of beneficiaries covered in this elderly pension scheme be increased. “According to an estimate, around 1.2 crore elderly poor must be covered under this pension scheme in UP. The state government must revise both pension amount and number of beneficiaries,” said Prasad.

“We have already given a representation to Ramapati Shastri, cabinet minister, social welfare department, in the state government demanding hike in elderly pension from ₹400 to ₹2,000 per month,” he added.