‘Govt thinking of relaxing norms for old age pension’

‘Govt thinking of relaxing norms for old age pension’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Madurai:21.07.2021

The possibilities of relaxing some of the norms of the old age pension scheme (OPA) in Tamil Nadu, to make more people eligible for the benefit of these schemes, were being explored and the drawbacks have been taken to the notice of the chief minister M K Stalin, minister for revenue and disaster management, K K S S R Ramachandran has said.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting with revenue officials of Madurai, Theni and Dindigul district on Tuesday, Ramachandran said that the rules laid down by the former AIADMK government, for obtaining the pension, had made it difficult for many people to get the pension. “There are people who have children (sons), which makes them ineligible for the OAP, but in reality these children do not take care of the parents and they need some financial support. So, we are trying to find a solution to it,” he said. Sources from the revenue department said that there were already more than 5,000 petitions for old age pension pending in Madurai district alone, of which one-third are eligible, but till date the lack of funds forced them them to enroll new beneficiaries only after the death of an existing beneficiary. Earlier, it was specified that people applying for these benefits should come under the below poverty line (BPL) category, but this is no longer mandatory, as identifying BPL category people in villages was easy but not in the city.

HELPING HAND: Minister K K S S R Ramachandran distributes a sewing machine to a beneficiary in Madurai on Tuesday