CHANDIGARH: Punjab will be the first state in the country to provide welfare schemes pension payments through Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
Disclosing this here today Social Security Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann is continuously working to provide hassle free services and timely social welfare schemes benefits to the elderly, widows and destitute women, dependent children and disabled persons. She said that under these initiatives, the Punjab Government will implement Public Financial Management System (PFMS) in the state for prompt payment of pension.
The state government is providing financial assistance to the beneficiaries in the form of a pension of Rs.1500/- per month. At present, 30.25 lakh beneficiaries are getting the benefit of pension under these schemes in the state, she added.
Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that a new Public Financial Management System (PFMS) has been implemented in Punjab for prompt payment of pension amounts. With the implementation of PFMS the payment of pension will be quickly provided to the beneficiaries and the department will also automatically receive notification of the payment.
The Minister further said that if there is any obstacle in the payment of pension, beneficiaries can get complete information through this system. PFMS was first launched in 7 districts and now after its successful implementation in these districts, this would be implemented in the whole state. Directions in this regard have been issued to district officials to do payment of welfare schemes pensions through PFMS.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also said that with the implementation of PFMS in the state will bring transparency in the paying pension benefits to the beneficiaries. With the implementation of PFMS about 30.25 lakh beneficiaries would directly benefit from this system. The Minister said that the Social Securities Department has been supported by the Governance Department and Axis Bank to implement the Public Financial Management System across the state.