Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced that former beneficiaries of the Subhadra Scheme can apply for old-age pensions under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) once they reach 60 years of age.
However, these beneficiaries and must meet the eligibility criteria and availability of vacancies for pension sanction. The government also emphasized that no special provisions or exemptions have been made for former beneficiaries of the Subhadra Scheme when applying for old-age pensions under MBPY or NSAP.
“Applicants of old age pension are free to apply for social security pension under any of MBPY/ NSAP upon attaining the age of 60 years, however the sanction of pension is subject to meeting all eligibility criteria as per corresponding scheme guidelines and subject to availability of vacancies”, read an official communication issued by the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) addressed to the Women and Child Development Department.
The letter further reads: “State Government, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, ensures social security pension to vulnerable populations who lack adequate resources due to their old age, disability, death of a breadwinner, widowhood and so on. While ex. beneficiaries of Subhadra Scheme have already availed the benefits from Government, there might be instances wherein waitlisted applicants under both VIBPY & NSAP either have not yet availed any such benefits or turn out to be more aged/ needier than the ex. beneficiaries of Subhadra Scheme.”
Meanwhile, District Social Security Officers have been instructed to extend full assistance in processing their applications.
