The Bihar government has initiated various social security pension schemes for the welfare of the old-aged persons, widows, and bonded labourers. Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana means social security pension scheme in Bihar. It aims to provide financial assistance to the citizens living in Bihar through pensions.
As Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana is a social security measure, the various schemes will ensure that the vulnerable groups are not left in poverty and live a life of dignity. The families categorised as BPL (Below Poverty Line) will receive a monthly pension benefit. The citizens can fulfil their basic needs through these pensions.
Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana provides financial assistance every month to the elderly, widows, divorced women and disabled persons to lead their lives well. Many schemes are included under the Bihar social security pension scheme. The different schemes under the Rajya Samajik Suraksha Pension Yojana are as follows:
Bihar State Disability Pension Scheme
The Bihar government launched the disability pension scheme to provide disability pensions to those disabled persons not covered under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS).
Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme
Since the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) covers only widows between 40-79 age, the Bihar government introduced the Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme to provide pensions to widows above the age of 18 years. It was started in the year 2007 for the welfare of widowed women.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
The National Old Age Pension Scheme was implemented in Bihar under the National Social Assistance Program in 1995. But in November 2007, its name was changed to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme. This scheme provides pensions for the old persons belonging to BPL families.
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme
The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme started in the year 2009-10 as a part of the National Social Assistance Program to give financial assistance to widows. This scheme provides social security to widows belonging to BPL families by providing financial assistance.
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme
The Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme was started in Bihar in 2009-10 as a part of the National Social Assistance Program. This scheme is implemented based on the amount received by the Central Government. Under this scheme, people having multiple or severe disabilities and belonging to the BPL family receive a monthly pension.
The Government of Bihar runs the Bihar State Disability Pension Scheme and Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme. The rest of the schemes are run by the Central Government. All these state and central pension schemes have different eligibility criteria.
The eligibility criteria for different pension schemes in Bihar are as follows:
Schemes | Age | Income | Residential Status |
Bihar State Disability Pension Scheme | No minimum age requirement, but the beneficiary must have a disability of equal to or more than 40% | No minimum income requirement | 10 years living in Bihar |
Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme | Widow of more than 18 years | Income less than Rs.60,000 p.a | 10 years living in Bihar |
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme | Persons equal to or more than 60 years | Belonging to the BPL family | 3 years living in Bihar |
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme | Widows between 40-79 years | Belonging to the BPL family | 3 years living in Bihar |
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme | Persons between 18-79 years having a disability of more than 80% | Belonging to the BPL family | 3 years living in Bihar |
The benefits provided under different pension schemes in Bihar are as follows:
Schemes | Benefit Provided (in Rs.) |
Bihar State Disability Pension Scheme | 400 per month |
Laxmibai Social Security Pension Scheme | 400 per month |
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme | 400 per month for beneficiaries aged between 60-79 years 500 per month for beneficiaries above 80 years |
Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme | 400 per month |
Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme | 400 per month |
After obtaining the application from the block development offices, the eligible applicants should fill out and submit the application for the respective scheme to them. The block development officers will send the applications to the sub-division officers. The sub-division officers will choose the candidates after going through the application and documents.
The sub-divisional officer sanctions the pension to the selected applicants based on the application form. The amount of sanctioned pension is sent to the beneficiary’s account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The officers inform the applicant whose application is cancelled regarding the rejection/cancellation of the application.