Social security pension limit raised to Rs 1.2 lakh in Karnataka

MANGALURU: A day after The New Indian Express documented that the Karnataka administration had temporarily halted social security pension for over 18 lakh beneficiaries, Deputy CM and Revenue Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Tuesday ordered continuation of pensions for all eligible beneficiaries.

In practice, the order marks a significant relaxation of the earlier income eligibility ceiling of Rs 32, 000. It had remained unchanged for a number of years, and excluded numerous deserving beneficiaries from old-age, widow and disability pensions. The revised annual income limit of Rs 1.20 lakh is projected to bring numerous beneficiaries back under the social security net.

After which 23, 14, 544 beneficiaries were identified as "suspect" cases and subjected to physical verification using the Samanvaya mobile application, authorities stated the data of pension beneficiaries was integrated with the Family Database.

During the verification drive, pensions of 18, 06, 032 beneficiaries were temporarily suspended as they had either failed to produce documents, were not residing at the recorded address or had not submitted income certificates.

Dr Parameshwara has now directed tahsildars to verify cases based on reports submitted through the mobile app by village accountants, and restore pensions to beneficiaries whose annual income is above Rs 32, 000 but within Rs 1.20 lakh, and who satisfy all other eligibility conditions.

Taken together, the developments around social security pension limit raised to Rs 1.2 lakh in Karnataka point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.