CHANDIGARH: Ensuring judicious distribution of funds under various social security schemes, the Punjab Government has recovered Rs.28.97 crore from bank accounts of deceased beneficiaries of various Social Security Schemes.
While disclosing this here, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said, "after assuming the charge of office, she had directed the officials of Social Security, Women and Child Development Department to thoroughly review all the schemes to ensure judicious distribution of monetary assistance under these schemes amongst the needy and actual beneficiaries besides saving public exchequer."
The Cabinet Minister informed, the department has recovered Rs.28.97 crore from bank accounts of 1, 27, 643 deceased beneficiaries and credited the amount in Public Exchequer, adding that the Punjab Government is providing financial assistance to the tune of Rs.1500 per month to Old age pensioners, Widows, Destitute Children and Persons with Disabilities. She apprised that as many as 28.85 lakh beneficiaries are getting their pensions, which amounts to Rs.432.75 crore every month. She further added that total 19, 47, 427 Old Age pensioners, 5, 38, 010 Widows or Destitute Women, 1, 75, 135 Destitute Children and 2, 24, 513 PWDs was getting their monthly pensions.
Divulging more, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the department has received Rs.4420.70 crore as budgetary allocation under these Social Security Schemes, out of which Rs.4353.64 crore has been disbursed to total 28, 85, 085 beneficiaries.