New Delhi, June 9 (ANI): The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the lowering of age limit from 65-60 years for the purpose of disbursing pensions under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS).
Briefing reporters, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said that the rate of pension persons above 80 years have been raised from 200 to 500 rupees per month.
She said that an additional expenditure of 2770 crore rupees would be incurred, following the decision.
The revised norms would be applicable with effect from April 1, 2011.
It is estimated that lowering of the age limit would benefit about an additional 72.32 lakh persons in the age group of 60-64 years and living below the poverty line.
It is also estimated that 26.49 lakh persons above the age of 80 years and living below the poverty line, would become eligible to receive enhanced central assistance at Rs. 500 per month.
At present 169 lakh persons above the age of 65 years and living below poverty line are receiving central assistance under IGNOAPS.
The additional funds required will be Rs 1,736 crore for providing old age pension at Rs 200 per month per beneficiary in the age group of 60-64 years and Rs 953 crore for providing enhanced pension at Rs 500 per month per beneficiary of age 80 years and above.
As a result of change in the eligibility criteria for receiving old age pension, eligibility criteria for widow pension under IGNWPS and disability pension under IGNDPS will get revised from 40-64 years to 40-59 years and from 18-64 years to 18-59 years respectively. (ANI)
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