Chief Minister Rangasamy launches enhanced pension, financial assistance to women heads of BPL families in Puducherry

Puducherry's Chief Minister launches increased pensions and financial aid for women heads of BPL families, benefiting over 1.9 lakh residents.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Thursday launched enhanced pension for old and destitute persons and monthly financial assistance to women heads of BPL families in Puducherry. 

The government had announced in the budget that the old age and destitute pension would be increased by ₹500 for around 1.91 lakh beneficiaries. After the hike, beneficiaries in the age group of 18 to 59 years will get a monthly pension of ₹2,500, while those in the 60 to 79 years age group will get ₹3,000 and those who are 80 years and above will get ₹4,000 from this month. 

The eligible beneficiaries, include the elderly, widows, deserted women, unmarried women and transgender persons. The Chief Minister also launched enhanced monthly assistance of ₹2,500 to women heads of BPL families in the age group 21-54 years who are not covered under other welfare schemes. The scheme was launched in 2023 and initially, a monthly assistance of ₹1,000 was provided to the beneficiaries. The hike would enable around 65,000 beneficiaries to get ₹2,500 as monthly assistance from this month.

The Lieutenant Governor, K. Kailashnathan, was scheduled to inaugurate the scheme along with the Chief Minister but he could not attend the event due to personal reasons. Ministers, legislators and senior officials were present at the inaugural.