Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 13: Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has appealed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, to consider the enhancement of old-age pension, widow pension, destitute allowance and Divyangjan (disability) allowance from ₹2,500 to ₹5,000 per month, along with revision of the existing monthly income ceiling from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000.
The MP had already taken up the matter earlier which is remains pending with the Administration. Shri Ray stated that the existing pension and allowances were last revised in April 2018, when the amount was increased to ₹2,500 per month. Earlier revisions were made in April 2011 and April 2013, raising the amount to ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 per month, respectively. More than seven years have passed since the last revision, while the prices of essential commodities and the overall cost of living have increased substantially.
He pointed out that the geographical isolation of the Islands, higher transportation costs and the comparatively high prices of essential commodities make it difficult for vulnerable sections of society to meet their basic needs with the existing assistance. The fact that the pension amount was previously among the highest in the country should not be a reason to defer revision, particularly when the cost of living has risen considerably.
At present, a total of 29,282 beneficiaries are covered under these social security schemes, including 15,906 old-age pensioners, 7,087 widows, 2,098 destitute persons and 4,191 Divyangjan beneficiaries. While senior citizens aged 80 years and above receive ₹3,000 per month, the other categories generally receive ₹2,500 per month.
The MP emphasized that social security assistance is intended to provide basic livelihood support to elderly persons, widows, persons with disabilities and destitute individuals who are unable to earn a livelihood independently. He stated that enhancing the pension and allowances is essential to protect their dignity, financial security and well-being in the prevailing economic conditions.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray has therefore appealed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor to consider the matter sympathetically and on priority, and to direct the concerned department to examine and approve the proposed enhancement of the monthly pension and allowances from ₹2,500 to ₹5,000, along with an increase in the income eligibility ceiling from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 per month, in the larger interest of the vulnerable sections of the Islands.