Assam Government will introduce Rs 300 per month pension scheme to all of its senior citizens of the state. The Cabinet further decided to launch an old age pension scheme to below poverty level (BPL) and above poverty level (APL) beneficiaries from October 2 this year. The scheme will be launched by the Chief Minister in a function to be held at Sarusajai stadium here.

This was decided by a cabinet meeting of Assam Government last night.

The pensioners would get Rs 250 per month as pension and this will be transferred online. Moreover, to weed out any discrepancy in the list of pensioners, the preliminary list of selected beneficiaries would be displayed in the Gaon Panchayat offices and would be discussed in the gaon sabhas. Further, names of beneficiaries for entry in the list would be reopened in every six months.

Assam will need Rs 480 crores annually to pay Rs 300 per month pension to 16 lakh senior citizens.

The Rs 300 monthly pension has not gone down well with the senior citizens of Assam, especially those above poverty line and it has been ridiculed. A government source informed that up to 80 years it will be Rs 300 per month and above 80 years of age it is Rs 500 per month.