UP Govt will automatically start old age pensions at 60 using the Family ID system, benefiting 8.25 lakh seniors and removing the need for applications.
Uttar Pradesh’s elderly citizens will no longer have to go to government offices to apply for their Old Age Pension . The state cabinet adopted a scheme that will use the Family ID database to automatically identify eligible older people and start paying them pensions the month they reach 60.
Over 8.25 lakh senior citizens are anticipated to profit from the action, which is being carried out under the National Old Age Pension Scheme and is in line with the “One Family, One Identity” campaign. This deployment will cost the government an additional Rs 990 crore.
67.5 lakh elderly citizens presently receive pensions, however many eligible people are denied them because of the application process, according to Asim Arun, Minister of State for Social Welfare (Independent Charge). As a solution, the Family ID system will now use API connectivity to “push” data about individuals who will turn 60 within the next ninety days to the Social Welfare Department’s pension portal.
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The department will seek the beneficiary’s approval by SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, or in-person interaction if necessary prior to authorizing the pension. The Common Service Centers, Gram Panchayat Sahayaks, the pension site, or the door-to-door services provided by CSCs can all be used to submit consent and biometrics.
Pension sanctioning will be finished with digital signatures in 15 days following automatic identification and permission. Payments will be sent straight into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-linked bank account after the sanction letter is mailed. A specialized smartphone app will provide passbook-like payment details, and SMS updates will be sent for every transaction.
If data analysis identifies any disparities, such as income tax payments, the pension may be temporarily suspended and will restart after verification. Instances like failing to submit the annual life certificate, surpassing income thresholds, the beneficiary’s death, voluntary withdrawal, or other reasons for ineligibility will result in permanent discontinuance. A mobile app for filing life certificates is also being developed by the department.
To avoid irregularities, officials stated that data analysis, quality checks, and stringent complaint handling will be given top priority.