The Haryana government provides the old-age pension scheme called the Old Age Samman Allowance (OPSA) which is also locally known as the Haryana Old Age Pension Scheme for senior citizens in the state. The Samman scheme was launched in 1966.

Under the scheme, the government pays Rs. 2,500 monthly pensions to senior citizens from below-the-poverty line households, farmers, wage workers, artisans, and reserved communities.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scheme, the beneficiary must be a permanent resident of Haryana and should be over 60 years of age. Both men and women can apply for the scheme. Additionally, the beneficiary’s annual income should not exceed Rs 2 lakh to be eligible.

Also Read: What Are Central Ministry-Wise Schemes For Senior Citizens?

Benefits

The scheme provides three significant benefits to senior citizens: financial security and regular income, and incorporates a broader section of society, regardless of where they reside. Sixty-five percent of the population in Haryana lives in rural areas.

The scheme also provides much-needed relief to daily wage workers and laborers who barely manage their living costs from their meager income. It also reduces their dependency on children for their financial requirements.

Small and medium farmers struggling due to the fluctuating prices of their produce and incurring losses can also apply for the scheme. Local artisans who make baskets, wood carvings, furniture, etc., and struggle to make ends meet also benefit from the pension scheme.

Pension Issue

The issue of pension has been a dominant topic in recent months. Many organizations of existing and former government servants have been demanding higher pensions across many states. Early this year, organizations representing teachers, ex-army personnel, and autonomous bodies held demonstrations to restore the old pension scheme, arguing that the existing National Pension System (NPS) is inadequate to meet their financial needs at retirement. People from Haryana Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and other states recently held a major demonstration in Delhi’s Ramlila Ground to press their demands. While old-age pension is a significant relief for people with low incomes, demand for higher pensions will keep the governments under pressure in the coming months.