Karnataka has withheld pensions for 23 lakh beneficiaries following a verification exercise that identified ineligible recipients under various government schemes. According to reports from Deccan Herald, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara announced that the beneficiaries included taxpayers, people who did not meet the prescribed age criteria and government employees, raising questions about the disbursal of welfare benefits. The move comes as Karnataka reviews its pension rolls to ensure that benefits reach only those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Meanwhile, the annual income ceiling for getting pension in the state has been increased from ₹32,000 to ₹1.2 lakh. As reported by The Hindu, Parameshwara, who holds the Revenue portfolio, said earlier that the annual income ceiling to avail of the pension had remained capped at the lower figure for a long time, which left lakhs of people out of the scheme. The scheme covers old-age pensions, widow pensions and disability pensions, with the previous income ceiling having been capped at ₹32,000.
Parameshwara also said that the suspended pensions will be restored promptly once beneficiaries submit valid age, income, and residence certificates. According to Deccan Herald, though the specific date was not revealed, the suspended pensions will be restored once the required documentation is provided. Revenue department data shows there are over 83 lakh social security pensioners in the state.
The Karnataka government will soon scrap the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), the deputy chief minister announced. As reported by PTI, Parameshwara said the reintroduction of OPS was a long-standing demand of government employees and also a promise made by the Congress party ahead of the elections. He said the chief minister has held discussions on the issue and the government has taken an important decision to scrap the NPS and implement the old pension scheme soon.
