80,000 more people to get old-age pension in Delhi: Kejriwal

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal announced on Monday that an additional 80,000 people in Delhi are now eligible for old-age pensions, increasing the total number of beneficiaries to 5.3 lakh.

Speaking at a press conference, Kejriwal emphasised the Delhi government’s commitment to social welfare, stating that the decision to expand old-age pensions followed Cabinet approval on Sunday.

The government also launched a portal on Sunday for elderly individuals to apply for pensions, which, according to Kejriwal, has already received 10,000 applications.

Accusing the BJP of halting pensions during his imprisonment, Kejriwal remarked, “It is a sin to stop the pensions of old people.” He further noted, “After being released, we not only restarted the halted pensions but also added 80,000 new beneficiaries”.

Kejriwal highlighted that Delhi now has approximately 5.3 lakh pensioners and claimed that the city offers the highest pension rates in the country, with Rs 2,000 provided to those aged 60-69 and Rs 2,500 for individuals aged 70 and above.

Chief Minister Atishi and Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also attended the press conference. Atishi reiterated the government’s commitment to public welfare, while Bharadwaj announced plans to introduce a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 for differently-abled individuals.

(With inputs from PTI)