Telangana's rural areas witness success of Aasara pension scheme

Hyderabad: State government has successfully implemented a pilot programme for distribution of pension using iris data of beneficiaries under Aasara scheme through post offices in rural areas. Further, the officials have decided to increase distribution of pensions through post offices as it was an easy mode to reach out to the people in remote areas, which was not possible through banks.

Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Jupally Krishna Rao informed the State Legislative Council during Question Hour on Tuesday that out of 38.95 lakh Aasara beneficiaries, about 22 lakh beneficiaries were being paid through biometric means at gram panchayat level through Postal Department and another 16.88 lakh beneficiaries were receiving the amount through Direct Benefit Transfer scheme into their bank accounts.

“We are providing additional biometric machines in 370 gram panchayats and 141 branch offices of the Postal Department to help more beneficiaries,” he said.

Replying to a question, Women and Child Development Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao said the government would consider establishing a tribunal to address grievances of senior citizens at the State level in addition to tribunals and appellate tribunals constituted in every district under Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.

He said Rs 1,000 per month was being distributed by the Telangana government under social security pension scheme to 13.37 lakh poor elderly people aged 65 years and above. Around 17 old age homes, a mobile medicare unit and a daycare centre are being operated for senior citizens in the State.