Chandigarh, September 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Government has released ₹2,507.98 crore under its Old Age Pension Scheme up to September in the financial year 2026-27, benefiting 24.07 lakh senior citizens across the state, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said.
The government has made a budgetary provision of ₹4,000 crore for the scheme in the current financial year, reflecting its focus on strengthening social security for elderly residents.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said the government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was committed to ensuring that eligible senior citizens received financial assistance in a timely and transparent manner. She described the pension as more than financial support, saying it helped elderly people meet daily expenses while maintaining their independence and dignity.
Under the scheme, men aged 65 years and above and women aged 58 years and above are eligible for benefits if their annual family income does not exceed ₹60,000, the minister said.
She directed District Social Security Officers and other officials to speed up application verification, approve eligible cases promptly and ensure smooth disbursement. Officials were also asked to identify eligible senior citizens proactively, help them complete the required formalities and address procedural hurdles that could delay access to benefits.
The minister appealed to eligible elderly people and their families to apply for the scheme. She also urged Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies, village representatives and social organisations to help identify deserving beneficiaries and guide them through the application process.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said collective efforts were necessary to ensure that no eligible senior citizen was left out of the state’s social security network, as Punjab worked towards the vision of a caring and inclusive ‘Rangla Punjab’.
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