Shimla:Amid the lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic, the Himachal Pradesh government has provided a special relief to 5.69 lakh social security pensioners by making an advance payment of Rs 217.86 crore, officials said on Thursday.
The pension has been given for six months in advance for those settled in remote areas and three months to other beneficiaries.
It was a big challenge to disburse the pension, particularly those residing in the remote areas, due to the lockdown, a government official said.
But it has been performed effectively by the state Social Justice and Empowerment Department and the Indian Postal Service Department.
It brought cheers on the face of wizened Shankaru Devi, 90, of Guhan village in Jaisinghpur area in the Kangra district when the postman reached her home amid the curfew with a pension of Rs 4,500 for three months that too in advance.
The social security pension is the only financial support for her who is alone at home in this old age. She manages her medicines and food with the monthly pension.
Shankaru Devi is not an exception. As per the official records, there are 3.85 lakh old age people in the state who are entitled for pension of Rs 154.24 crore.
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In addition, about 1.20 lakh widows have been provided social security pension of Rs 40.21 crore, while 63,495 persons with disabilities have been issued social security pension of Rs 23 crore.
Providing door-to-door pension to the beneficiaries in remote areas during the curfew has been a daunting task which has been carried out efficiently by the postal department.