A spokesman of the State Government said that Government had decided to give Social Security Pension to aged, widows, handicapped and leprosy patients through bio-metric system throughout the State. He said that at present Social Security Pension of Rs. 330 per month was being given to them through money order. Earlier this was being done in Una district only since 2009.
He said that every eligible pensioner would be issued a smart card which would have the photograph, bio-data and finger impression of the beneficiary besides opening of saving account in the bank. He said that the bank would appoint Customer Service Provider at a fixed Service Delivery Point in a group of villages according to number of pensioners in those villages, who would distribute the pension as per fixed date. He said that the pension to those unable to walk would be given at their door steps. He said that if the pension was not delivered on the fixed date then the money would be deposited in the saving account of the concerned pensioner.
He said that Social Security Pension would be given through Punjab National Bank in districts of Mandi, Kullu, Hamirpur, Kinnaur, Kangra, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti whereas the same would be done through UCO Bank in districts of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Bilaspur.
