The Haryana government has recently launched a pension scheme tailored for singles, offering them a monthly allowance of Rs 2,750 starting from July 1. However, the scheme does not extend its benefits to divorcees and live-in partners.
Introduced specifically for unmarried individuals aged between 45 and 60 years, the detailed outline of the scheme has now been made public by the Haryana government. To be eligible for the monthly pension of Rs 2,750, beneficiaries must officially remain single, with divorcees and live-in partners not qualifying for the scheme’s benefits.
In addition to being within the age range of 45 to 60 years, the eligible individuals should also have an annual income below Rs 1.80 lakh. Furthermore, those who get married without notifying the Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment will face penalties, and the amount disbursed will be recovered along with a 12 percent interest charge. The scheme also excludes individuals already receiving any other form of pension.
To implement the scheme, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment will issue a pension identity based on the family identity card. Beneficiaries will be required to submit their family identity card before the 10th of each month, after which a pension ID will be generated. The release of the pension amount will be subject to the beneficiary’s consent and will occur on the 7th day of every month.
Widowers who are bona fide residents and have an annual income of up to Rs 3 lakh will also be considered eligible beneficiaries. Upon reaching the age of 60 years, the pension will automatically convert into an old-age pension for them. However, widows are not included in this scheme, as the state government already operates a separate widow pension scheme.
The scheme is expected to benefit approximately 5,687 widowers out of a total of 70,687 unmarried singles in the state. Notably, this new pension initiative will impose an annual burden of over Rs 240 crore on the state exchequer.
Prior to launching this scheme, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had expressed the government’s intentions to introduce a pension scheme for unmarried individuals aged between 45 and 60 years in the state. He had also announced an increase in the old-age pension to Rs 3,000 per month during the ‘Jan Samvad’ programme in Kamalpura village, Karnal district.
