Bhubaneswar: The Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department has issued a stern directive to all District Collectors to verify the voter identity cards of pension applicants.
Shri R. S. Gopalan, the Secretary of the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, has issued a directive to all District Magistrates to initiate a comprehensive verification of pension applicants’ voter identity cards.
This action follows reports of a number of individuals manipulating their birth dates on voter IDs to meet the eligibility criteria for the enhanced ₹3,500 monthly social security pension.
The new policy mandates a detailed verification process, including cross-checking previous voter ID records to detect any recent age amendments.
Pension disbursements to applicants found to have manipulated their age will be suspended, and strict action will be taken against those involved in such fraudulent activities.
The move aims to ensure that the increased pension benefits, which were a part of the ruling party’s manifesto, reach only the genuinely eligible beneficiaries.
The enhanced pension of ₹3,500 per month is intended for individuals above 80 years of age and those with a disability of 80% or more. The government had previously raised the minimum pension under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) and National Social Assistance Program (NSAP) for other eligible categories.
Shri Gopalan, who also holds the post of Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, is leveraging his dual role to ensure the integrity of both the pension scheme and the electoral rolls.
The crackdown is a critical step in ensuring that the increased monthly pension of ₹3,500, intended for the most vulnerable citizens—those above 80 years of age and those with a disability of 80% or more—reaches the deserving beneficiaries.
The SSEPD Department has warned that pension payments to those found to have committed fraud will be suspended and strict action will be taken.