JOURNAJUNKIE

OAP benefiting 18,679 senior citizens in Sikkim

The state government along with securing the future of the young generation has also been successfully providing security to its senior citizens. To take care of the rural poor above 60 years the state government in collaboration with the centre scheme provides them the pensions. The Old Age Pension (OAP) is for the people of above 60 years who does not have regular source of income or financial support from their families.

The pension scheme is under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.  

    Currently, there are 18,679 beneficiaries receiving the OAPs in Sikkim. The existing rate of pensions offered under various schemes as well as the age criteria to qualify for these have been enhanced and revised, respectively. The existing IGNOAPS is a revised rate of Rs.600 from the previous rate of Rs.400. The state has its share of Rs. 400 to centre’s Rs. 200.

    In 2011, the rate has been revised to Rs.600 per month from Rs.400 per month to the age group of 60-79 years and Rs. 1000 for the age group of 80 years and above.

There are Social Welfare offices in each district apart from North. The beneficiaries can apply for schemes and receive the pension in the districts itself.

   With the total of 7,013 senior citizens receiving monthly pension, East district has maximum number of beneficiaries while the North district has the lowest with just 1,314.

6,439 beneficiaries in East district are above 80 years and 574 are of the age group of 60 to 79 years. Whereas, in North monthly pension of Rs.1000 is given to 90 pensioners and 1,224 are receiving Rs.600, each. South district currently has 398 people receiving Rs.1000 per month and 4,531 receiving Rs. 600 per month. Out of the 5,423 in West district, 5,009 receive a monthly pension of Rs.600 each while 414 are above 80 years.

    The pension is provided regularly in all districts, and for their ease the district social welfare offices themselves distributes the pension, notified the SWO.

Though a small amount, the OAP has come of some help for the senior citizens under the BPL. At this age I receive money without doing anything. The pension amount helps me fetch my necessary items. At least I do not need to ask somebody else for it.”, expressed a 70 year old beneficiary from East Sikkim.