DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Punjab government has distributed Rs 717.41 crore as pension to the Widows & destitute Women, disabled and dependent children till July, 2022. Giving more information in this regard, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the government is committed for the welfare of people of all sections of the society. She said that there are a total of 30,67,927 pension beneficiaries of various categories that includes elderly, disabled, widows and destitute women and dependent children. The Cabinet Minister further said that there are a total number of 9,89,041 Widows & destitute Women, disabled and dependent children beneficiaries who are covered under various pension schemes in the state, to whom 717.41 crore of pension amount has been distributed till the month of July. She said that the state government has reserved a total budget of Rs 4647.82 crore for various pension schemes, out of which a budget of Rs 1547.55 crore has been reserved for Widows and destitute Women, disabled and dependent children pension during the current financial year. The Cabinet Minister also disclosed that there is no age limit for Widows and destitute Women below 58 years of age, destitute children below 21 year of age and person with 50% and more disability for pension whose annual income does not exceed Rs 60,000. They are eligible to avail the benefit of above said scheme. The minister said that the financial assistance is paid directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which are being linked with Aadhaar. 'So far 96 percent of the bank accounts of pension benifeceries have been linked with Aadhaar, added Dr. Baljit. (editor@dailyworld.in)