Disabled people can now avail of online pension scheme in Uttar Pradesh

Pension given to the disabled in Uttar Pradesh has been completely made online across the state, an official said on Saturday.

Instructions have also been issued by the state government to officials to ensure that the disabled are not harassed in the name of physical verification.

Additional Chief Secretary (Handicap Welfare) Mahesh Gupta issued instructions to all district officials with regards to the pension scheme being completely made online.

More than 47,000 disabled persons have been identified in November for the pension and officials have been asked to ensure that the first instalment is transferred to their bank accounts by next week.

Those below the poverty line were entitled to Rs 300 per month pension which was increased to Rs 500 per month and the state government had enhanced the budget for this pension from Rs 3.33 billion to Rs 5.75 billion in 2018.

People who suffer from 40 per cent or more disability can avail this pension.

Irked at complaints that the pension beneficiaries face tough time providing disability certificate, the state government has said that all these details, certified by the state's Health Department, were available on the Revenue Department website.