The Delhi government has announced that it will be expanding its old-age pension system to include an extra 80,000 older residents. This action will increase the total number of beneficiaries to 5.3 lakh.
The declaration was made on November 25th by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, who emphasized the government’s initiatives to provide financial assistance to senior folks.
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What is the Scheme?
The scheme offers financial help to senior citizens based on their age. Those aged 60-69 will get ₹2,000 per month, while those 70 and older will receive ₹2,500. People from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and minority communities will get an extra ₹500 per month. This is intended to help those facing extra financial difficulties.
Eligibility Criteria for the Pension:
- Applicants must be 60 years or older.
- The annual family income should be less than ₹1 lakh.
- Applicants must have lived in Delhi for at least five years.
- They should not be receiving any financial assistance or pension from other government sources.
How to Apply?
The application process for the plan is conducted exclusively online to guarantee simplicity and transparency. Interested candidates may apply at https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in/, the e-district site.
The Delhi government claims that since the portal’s introduction, more than 10,000 applications have already been submitted. If applicants experience any issues with their online application, they can also seek help from the District Social Welfare Offices.
Documents Required
To complete the application, applicants must upload the following:
- Age Proof: Any official document as proof of age.
- Residence Proof: Ration card/ Electricity bill/ Voter ID/ Property papers showing at least five years of residency in Delhi.
- Bank Account Details: Aadhaar-linked, single-operated bank account.
- Additional Proof (For SC/ST/Minority Applicants): Caste certificate or Self-declaration of religion verified by a religious institution.
There are Other mandatory documents required during the application process like Passport-sized photograph, and Income self-declaration form.