Thiruvananthapuram, 26 Oct (H.S.): Distribution of Kerala’s welfare pensions for October will begin on Monday, October 26, with the state government directing authorities to complete payments by November 5. Around Rs 1,081 crore has been sanctioned for social security pensions and pensions paid through government-supported welfare fund boards.

The allocation includes Rs 961.64 crore for 52,09,617 social security pension beneficiaries and approximately Rs 119.47 crore for 6,05,415 pensioners registered with 16 welfare fund boards receiving government financial assistance.

The funds have been released through two separate orders issued by the Finance Department’s SFC-B division. Together, the two pension categories cover more than 58 lakh beneficiaries across the state.

Payments to social security pensioners will be made through direct bank transfers and doorstep delivery, depending on the distribution arrangement applicable to each beneficiary.

A total of 29,67,142 beneficiaries will receive their pensions directly in their bank accounts. The government has earmarked Rs 541.39 crore for these transfers, which form the larger share of beneficiaries under the social security pension distribution programme.

Another 22,42,475 pensioners will receive cash at their homes through primary cooperative societies. These societies will handle doorstep disbursement as part of the distribution exercise scheduled to conclude within the stipulated period.

The allocation also includes Rs 24.76 crore towards the October pension component for 8,46,456 beneficiaries covered by the National Social Assistance Programme. These beneficiaries fall under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension, Disability Pension and Widow Pension schemes.

Authorities have also prescribed a deadline for returning funds that remain undisbursed after the payment exercise. Any amount left over must be credited back to the account of Kerala State Social Security Pension Limited by November 16.

The orders set separate deadlines for completing payments to beneficiaries and returning unused funds, with disbursement due by November 5 and refunds due eleven days later.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman