Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of Uttarakhand has provided significant relief to pensioners under the state’s Social Welfare Department by releasing the April month pension through a single-click Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
In this major financial disbursement, the state government transferred over ₹111.82 crore directly into the bank accounts of 7,56,682 beneficiaries across Uttarakhand.
The initiative was carried out in Dehradun, where the Chief Minister officially launched the pension distribution process, ensuring timely financial support to eligible citizens.
Welfare Schemes Cover Multiple Vulnerable Groups
The pension amount has been distributed under several social welfare schemes, benefiting a wide range of vulnerable sections of society. These include:
- Old Age Pension Scheme
- Widow Pension Scheme
- Disability Pension Scheme
- Farmer Pension Scheme
- Abandoned Women Support Scheme
- Maintenance Grant Scheme
- Teelu Rauteli Pension Scheme
- “Bauna” (dwarfism-related disability) Pension Scheme
The government emphasized that the objective is to ensure financial security and dignity for economically and socially weaker sections.
Government Focus on Antyodaya and Inclusive Development
CM Dhami reiterated that the state government is committed to the principle of Antyodaya, which focuses on uplifting the last person in the social and economic hierarchy.
He stated that empowering weaker sections remains a top priority of the administration, and continuous efforts are being made to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out of government welfare schemes.
Regular Camps for Better Outreach to Citizens
The Chief Minister also highlighted that multipurpose welfare camps are being organized regularly across the state. These camps aim to identify eligible beneficiaries and ensure seamless delivery of social security benefits.
He instructed officials to proactively survey individuals turning 59 years of age so that all documentation is completed in advance. This would ensure that citizens receive pension benefits immediately after turning 60 years old without delays.
Call for Simplified and Transparent Welfare Systems
CM Dhami directed the administration to simplify eligibility criteria and make annual income limits more practical to expand the reach of welfare schemes.
He also stressed the importance of:
- Creating a single-window system for scheme information
- Enhancing transparency in welfare delivery
- Improving citizen access to government services
Use of Innovation and Technology in Social Welfare
Emphasizing modernization, the Chief Minister urged officials to adopt innovative practices in the social welfare sector.
He suggested that successful operational models should be shared across departments to improve efficiency. Additionally, he proposed the use of call centers to maintain regular communication with senior citizens and pensioners.
Government Commitment to Timely Assistance
Social Welfare Minister Khajan Das stated that under CM Dhami’s leadership, the department is fully committed to reaching every deserving beneficiary. He added that strict transparency is being maintained in the execution of pension schemes, ensuring timely and direct benefit transfer to all eligible individuals.
Senior Officials Present at the Event
The event held at the Secretariat was attended by several senior officials, including:
- Chief Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu
- Secretary Shailesh Bagauli
- Director, Social Welfare Department Dr. Sandeep Tiwari
The large-scale pension distribution reflects Uttarakhand government’s continued push toward digital governance and inclusive welfare delivery. With over 7.5 lakh beneficiaries receiving direct financial support, the initiative highlights the state’s focus on transparency, efficiency, and social security for vulnerable communities.
