Taking a giant step for social welfare, the Government of India initiated the scheme known as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), a scheme under which a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 is payable to eligible senior citizens. The scheme intends to give financial security during old age to those belonging to the economically weaker section, having an irregular income or having none in the first place.
Who Is The Beneficiary?
The conditions listed below should be satisfied by an applicant to receive benefits from this scheme:
- Age: Above 60 years
- Employment: Should not be a taxpayer or government pensioner
- Income Criteria: Income should be within an unorganized sector category or under the BPL or Low-income category
- Bank Account: Should have a valid savings bank account with Aadhaar linkage
This is similar to PMVVY and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) but for the senior citizen who has no pension that comes through the formal retirement system.
Benefits Of The Scheme
The cash pension of Rs. 3,000 per month payment will be directly credited into the bank account of the beneficiary
- Support during Life: From the day successful registration of the pension in the scheme is accepted, the pension will continue for life of the beneficiary
- Government Contribution: In some cases, the government contribution might apply, subject to eligibility of the beneficiary
- Simple registration: Minimum documentation and offline/online method for enrollment
How To Apply?
Taking easy accessibility into consideration, the Government opens up different avenues for submitting the application:
Online:_
- Visit the official site of the pension scheme (yet to be decided for states or central).
- Register by filling in all details concerning Aadhaar and bank accounts.
- Upload the proof of age and income (Aadhaar card, income certificate, etc.).
- Submit the application, after which an SMS/email confirmation will be received by the applicant.
Offline:
- Go to the nearest CSC(Common Service Center), Post Office, or District Social Welfare Office.
- Obtain an application form, fill therein with the required documents, and submit them to the official for verification and further processing.
Important Notes:
- Beneficiaries must ensure updated Aadhaar and bank KYC for smooth disbursal of pension.
- There might be a need for re-verification of eligibility every year for applicants.
Conclusion
This pension scheme is an urgent move to offer dignity and financial independence to aged citizens of India. Under this scheme, approximately `3000` Rupees per month being guaranteed to the eligible aged citizens can now somewhat afford at least bare necessities by themselves. Citizens should communicate this message to the masses and facilitate those eligible elderly to get enrolled in this scheme without any further delay.
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