Pending Pension Dues to Be Cleared by October in Odisha

The Odisha government has said that pending pension payments to eligible beneficiaries will be cleared by October, with the state taking steps to resolve technical issues that have delayed disbursement for the past four months.

Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister Nityananda Gond informed the Odisha Legislative Assembly through a written reply that 5,14,267 people have so far applied for pension benefits in the state. He said the government is taking necessary measures to provide pensions to all eligible applicants.

According to the Minister, pension payments could not be made regularly over the last four months due to technical problems. The state government is aware of the issue and is working with the state Finance Department, the Central Government and the Treasury authorities to resolve it.

The government is currently working on a process to ensure that beneficiaries who have been deprived of their payments receive their pending dues along with their regular pension by October.

Gond said 20,33,959 beneficiaries are currently covered under the Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme under the National Social Assistance Programme. In addition, 37,14,008 beneficiaries are receiving assistance under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana.

The Minister said eligible applicants under these schemes will also be provided pension benefits. The Odisha government has allocated Rs 5,836 crore in the budget for the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana.

The government’s latest assurance is expected to provide relief to beneficiaries who have been waiting for their pending pension payments due to the technical issues.