PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that providing social security to the vulnerable, needy and disadvantaged sections of society is one of the priorities of the State government. He said that the government strives to ensure that every eligible individual receives the benefits of social security schemes in a simple and timely manner. He was addressing officials in an event held to transfer social security pensions to eligible beneficiaries of the Social Welfare department held at his residence on Friday. In the programme, the CM transferred an amount of Rs 147. 05 crore as pension of August 2026 to 9,91,914 beneficiaries with a click of a mouse. The CM directed officials to sensitively address practical issues arising in the implementation of pension schemes. He directed that continued effort should be made to ensure the pension system is simple, transparent and beneficiary-centric, ensuring that every eligible individual is covered under the schemes. He directed that eligible beneficiaries who are unable to obtain Aadhaar for any reason be identified and account-based payment arrangements be made for them, so that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of pension benefits due to Aadhaar-related issues. The officers of the Social Welfare department informed the CM that in August 2026, an amount of Rs 147.05 crore was earmarked for a total of 9,91, 914 beneficiaries of old age, widow, handicapped, farmer, abandoned woman, maintenance grant, Tilu Rauteli and dwarf pension schemes. It was informed that out of the total pension beneficiaries, 2,14,711 beneficiaries are covered under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and 7,77,203 beneficiaries are covered at the state level. The officials also informed that the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, is planning a two-day National Departmental Summit on September 18 and 19, 2026, at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi. The summit will facilitate dialogue between the Centre, states, and union territories on key priorities related to social justice and empowerment. Social Welfare minister Khajan Das, secretary Sridhar Babu Addanki, additional secretary Vikram Yadav, joint director Geeta Ram Nautiyal and other officers were present on the occasion.
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