Asara to Pension for the Differently-Abled: Telangana Govt’s Welfare Story

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In 2014, the number of Asara pension beneficiaries was only 28,47,855. The Telangana govt has increased it to 43,81,338 by 2023. The physically challenged persons’ pension has been increased to Rs 4,016, benefiting 5,11,656 persons

Telangana is the epitome of welfare. In 2014, the number of Asara pension beneficiaries was only 28,47,855. The Telangana government has increased the number of Asara beneficiaries to 43,81,338 by 2023. In 2014, the monthly pension amount given under Asara was only Rs 67.47 crore. Today, the government is providing financial support of Rs 976.42 crore per month. The physically challenged persons’ pension has been increased to Rs 4,016, benefiting 5,11,656 persons.

After the formation of the Telangana government, the Asara Pension Scheme was launched in November 2014 to support the most vulnerable sections of society and provide financial assistance for the daily minimum needs of those who have lost their livelihood with increasing age, allowing them to lead a dignified life with social security. Initially, the Telangana government provided pension support to the elderly, differently-abled, HIV-AIDS victims, handloom workers and stone masons. Furthermore, the government implemented the Asara Pension Scheme for beedi workers from March 2015, single women from April 2017, filaria-affected persons from April 2018, and dialysis victims from August 2022. Telangana is the only state providing pensionable support to beedi workers. The government has also reduced the eligibility age for old-age pension from 65 to 57 years. With this decision, the government approved in August 2022 to grant new old-age pensions as well as new support pensions to 10 lakh beneficiaries across various categories.

The Telangana government is currently providing Rs 976.42 crore per month as financial security under various support pension categories. The government stands with every household in the country that needs financial security. When Telangana was formed in 2014, the number of beneficiaries receiving pensions was only 28,47,855. As of June 2023, the number of Asara pension beneficiaries has reached 43,81,338. The government has acted in a humanitarian sense to provide financial security to various communities who are facing difficult times. The monthly pension amount has also been significantly increased in a phased manner.

Earlier, the government used to provide a pension of Rs 200 per month to elderly people, differently-abled people, handloom workers and AIDS victims. They used to give a pension of Rs 500 to civilians. After the formation of Telangana state, the government increased the monthly pension to Rs 2,016 and Rs 3,016 for the differently-abled. Additionally, the government is giving a support pension of Rs 2,016 to beedi workers, single women, teachers and dialysis victims. Due to the provision of pensions to eligible individuals, the number of beneficiaries has increased by an additional 15,33,483 compared to 2014, taking the total number of beneficiaries of support pensions to 43,81,338.

Also, in 2014, the amount given per month under pensions was only Rs 67.47 crore. Today, it has reached Rs 976.42 crore. The Telangana government has provided Rs 58,696.25 crore as financial assistance from 2014 to 2022-23 under Asara pensions. Now, with the increased support for the disabled, the annual pension under this scheme will reach 11,712.24 crore. Compared to 2014, the number of Asara pension beneficiaries has also significantly increased.

The Telangana government has increased the pension for differently-abled individuals to Rs 4,016. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao revealed that the state government stands with everyone who needs support. The state government has increased the pension from Rs 3,016 to Rs 4,016, providing financial security to the disabled. He explained that due to the increase in pension, the disabled in the state will receive financial support of Rs 205.48 crore per month. He further explained that before the advent of Telangana, only 3.57 lakh differently-abled persons were receiving only Rs 17 crore at the rate of 500 per month. Steps have been taken to identify eligible persons through self-government, and as a result, their number has increased to 5,11,656.

PR, RD and RWS Minister E. Dayakar Rao has cited CM KCR’s rule as an ideal humanitarian approach for the country. The increase in disability pension has brought joy to the differently-abled community. Telangana has become the stage for another historical event by further increasing the financial security provided to the unfortunate and needy individuals. They will now receive Rs 4,016, making Telangana a model for other states in terms of providing the highest pensions.

Monthly pensions given to differently-abled persons in various states (in Rs )