Nearly 1 Lakh Social Security Pension Cases Approved in Three Years: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said that the state government has approved 99,789 social security pension cases over the past three years, underlining its commitment to strengthening welfare delivery for vulnerable sections of society.

Presiding over a review meeting of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, the Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the release of pending funds under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, particularly for beneficiaries in tribal and remote areas including Pangi, Lahaul-Spiti, Dodra Kwar and Kupvi.

8.41 Lakh Beneficiaries Receiving Pensions

The Chief Minister informed that the government is currently providing social security pensions to 8.41 lakh eligible beneficiaries across Himachal Pradesh. The scheme-wise breakup includes:

• 1,04,740 beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension
• 5,04,253 beneficiaries under the Old Age Pension Scheme
• 25,414 women receiving Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension
• 1,26,808 beneficiaries under the Widow, Destitute and Single Woman Pension
• 1,340 beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension
• 78,291 beneficiaries receiving Disability Relief Allowance

Year-wise Approval Details

Providing a year-wise breakdown, Sukhu said:

• 41,799 pension cases were approved in 2023–24
• 41,012 cases in 2024–25
• 16,988 cases in 2025–26

Support for Children and Youth

Under the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, financial assistance is being extended to:

• 20,735 beneficiaries in the 0–18 years age group
• 853 beneficiaries aged 18–27 years

He also said that beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana are receiving monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000, Rs 2,500 and Rs 4,000, depending on their category.

Focus on Technology and Timely Payments

The Chief Minister directed the department to adopt advanced IT-based software systems to ensure timely identification of new beneficiaries and prompt disbursement of pensions and financial assistance, stressing that efficiency and transparency remain key priorities of the government.

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