Patna: Chief minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday transferred Rs1,157.72 crore through direct benefit transfer into the bank accounts of more than 1.01 crore social security pension beneficiaries at a programme held in the ‘Sankalp’ auditorium at Lok Sevak Awas.The payment was made at the rate of Rs1,100 per beneficiary, on ‘Bihar Pension Day’, which the state observes on the 10th of every month. The govt has announced that social security pension payments will be credited on the same date each month to ensure timely support to beneficiaries.Addressing the programme, Choudhary asked district magistrates to ensure that no eligible person is excluded from the pension scheme. He said the distribution process must remain time-bound and transparent so that every eligible citizen receives social security benefits with dignity.Deputy chief minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav and social welfare minister Shweta Gupta attended the event. Pension beneficiaries, district magistrates from all districts and eminent persons joined the programme through video conferencing.Choudhary said the monthly pension amount had been raised from Rs400 to Rs1,100 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former chief minister Nitish Kumar. He described the scheduled monthly transfer as evidence of a transparent, accountable and technology-based welfare delivery system.The chief minister said his govt gives highest priority to the dignity and social security of poor people, elderly citizens, ‘divyang’ persons and deprived sections. He added that the state is also providing 125 units of free electricity to 1.70 crore families, for which the govt is spending Rs23,000 crore as subsidy.The programme also featured a short film on the social security pension scheme. Director, social security, Preeti welcomed the chief minister by presenting him a plant.Officials said the initiative covers old-age, widow and disability pension categories across the state under the social welfare department.
