category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal while linking the Jan Samvad with the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has embodied a service-focused approach. The Yatra has been initiated to connect every Indian with nation-building for a developed India by 2047, as declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, as part of this initiative, a special camp was organized today in the Sonipat district for the new beneficiaries of the Old Pension, where the Chief Minister digitally approved pensions for 3,000 new beneficiaries simultaneously. Addressing the beneficiaries Manohar Lal stated that he has taken the pledge to work towards the service of the nation, social service, and human service like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Acting on this sentiment, the present state government has been working for the welfare of the people for the past 9 years. He emphasized that he has always considered Haryana s population of 2.80 crores as his own family and, as the head of the family; he always makes continuous efforts to alleviate every sorrow and trouble faced by the people. Previously, people had to go through a long process to avail the benefits of old-age pensions, and still, their pensions were not granted. Even the undeserving used to maneuver to receive these benefits. However, our government has put an end to this practice, and now, with the help of the PPP, on the day a person turns 60, pension is automatically granted, said Manohar Lal. The Chief Minister further informed that from May 2022, the old Age Pension has been linked to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and since then, pensions for 1,82,000 people have been made automatically. Manohar Lal stated that for those who wrongly availed pension benefits before the age of 60, orders were issued by the department to recover the amount from such individuals or their families. However, he took a strict cognizance of this and ordered that half of the pension amount be recovered as a monthly deduction, and recovery should not be made from the families of individuals who have passed away, said the Chief Minister. He said that the present state government has increased the pension amount from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2750 monthly and from January 2024, a monthly pension of Rs. 3000 will be provided. The eligibility criteria for pensions have been revised by the Haryana government, increasing the income limit from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh. Manohar Lal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought significant benefits to the poor through the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, providing free medical treatment up to Rs. 5 lakh. Approximately 15 lakh families in Haryana were benefiting from this scheme. After increasing the Below Poverty Line (BPL) income limit from Rs. 1.20 lakh to Rs. 1.80 lakh annually and incorporating 14 lakh new families into the scheme through the Chirayu Haryana Yojana. The Haryana government has extended the benefits of this scheme to families with an annual income ranging from Rs. 1.80 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh, informed the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister said that according to the PPP data, there are many elderly in the state aged over 80 years who are living alone. For the care of the elderly, the Varishth Nagrik Seva Ashram has been introduced. Under this scheme, the government will provide care for the elderly in these ashrams. The government aims to build ashrams at the district headquarters, and construction has already begun in 14 districts, informed Manohar Lal. On this occasion, MP Ramesh Chander Kaushik, Vice Chancellor, Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Prof. Manoj Kumar also addressed the program. MLAs Mohan Lal Kaushik, Mrs. Nirmal Choudhary, Chairman, Zilla Parishad, Monika Dahiya, and officers also remained present on this occasion. (editor dailyworld.in)