Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur on Wednesday instructed all District Social Security Officers in the state to collect income documents from original old-age pension beneficiaries within 15 days to ensure that the pension benefits are provided exclusively to those who are genuinely in need and eligible.
The Minister said that during pension-related actions taken, it was discovered that out of the J Form holders, 63,424 individuals are receiving old-age pension from the Department despite having an annual income exceeding Rs 60,000. However, for old-age pension, the beneficiarys annual income should not exceed Rs 60,000.
The Minister emphasized that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is dedicated to creating a Corruption-free state.
Many pensioners in the Department are farmers. The Punjab State Mandi Board issues J Forms to farmers, providing information about their income from crop sales. To accurately determine their annual income, the Department compared the data with that of the Punjab State Mandi Board, she added.