Mon Nov 25 10:35:02 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Expands Elderly Pension Scheme, Receives Thousands of Applications on First Day
**New Delhi** – The Delhi government launched an expanded old-age pension scheme on Monday, providing monthly financial assistance to over 5.3 lakh senior citizens. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that an additional 80,000 residents aged 60 and above are now eligible, receiving either ₹2,000 (ages 60-69) or ₹2,500 (70 and above) per month.
The scheme, which opened for applications via a new online portal on Sunday, saw over 10,000 applications submitted on its first day, highlighting significant demand. Kejriwal touted the program as offering the highest pension rates in India, criticizing the BJP for allegedly halting pensions during a previous period. He declared that denying pensions to the elderly was “a sin.”
The application process requires uploading proof of age and Delhi residency (showing at least five years’ continuous residence). Payments are disbursed monthly via the PFMS portal directly to the beneficiary’s bank account linked to their Aadhaar number.
Ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj also attended the announcement. Atishi reiterated the government’s dedication to public service, while Bharadwaj revealed plans to introduce a separate ₹5,000 monthly pension for differently-abled individuals.
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