Assam government launches pension scheme for senior citizens

Assam government Tuesday launched an ambitious pension scheme covering all senior citizens of the state that will entail an annual expenditure of Rs 400 crore.

In a function held here, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Swahid Kushal Konwar Sarbajanin Briddha Pension Achoni, coinciding with the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sonowal said: "Showing respect to senior citizens of the society is our custom and tradition. Therefore, the state government has in its own way decided to lend dignity to the lives of all the senior citizens of the state and endeavoured to provide financial assistance."

All senior citizens above 60 years of age are entitled to get the benefit of the scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to their bank accounts, he added.

"The scheme is one of its kind in the country as the state government designed it from its own resources with an annual financial involvement of Rs 400 crore. It will be for all senior citizens ..