What is Sevana Pension Scheme? Eligibility Criteria

India belongs to the category of some of the fastest-growing countries in the world. But, poverty remains a demoralising factor in India especially in the rural areas. One of the main reasons for the presence of poverty is the occurrence of administrative corruption. The allocated funds are detracted and result in various problems like pension payments, duplication of complaints, and more. But some states have taken various measures in order to tackle this obstacle, one of such states is Kerala. Kerala is one of these states which has extensively taken measures for such issues as a result of which there has been a decline in poverty rate in the state. Sevana Pension Scheme is also a scheme introduced by the government of Kerala for this purpose.

Sevana Pension Scheme is a pension program that aims at social welfare and aims at providing benefits to the poorest sections of the society. The main purpose for implementing the Sevana Pension Scheme was to provide social security services which are facilitated by the local government. Over 16 lakhs people from the underprivileged sectors are benefited by this scheme. Local bodies are responsible for disbursing Social Security Pensions like Gram Panchayats, Municipalities and corporations via the Sevana Pension Scheme Application.

Different Sevana Pension Schemes

1. National Old-age Pension
2. Widow Pension
3. Pension for women above 50 years who are unmarried
4. Pension for physically disabled people
5. Pension for mentally-challenged People
6. Agriculture Labour Pension
7. Unemployment Wages

National Old-age Pension

As per the rules, the local self government handles the implementation of the Indira Gandhi National old-age pension which was earlier handled by the State Government’s Revenue Department. In the case of those people who have a son but he does not take care of them, they also qualify for this scheme. The pension amount is Rs. 1100 and the pensioners above the age of 70 years will receive an amount of Rs. 1500 as pension.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Age should be 60 years or higher
2. The applicant should be a destitute
3. The annual income of the family should be Rs. 1 lakh or less
4. The applicant should be a permanent resident of the Kerala State for 10 years or more
5. A person who has with applied for or is already registered with a Social Welfare Pension is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
6. If a person is a habitual beggar, then he is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
7. If any person is admitted to a poor home, then he won't be eligible

Widow Pension

The handling of the widow pension program was transferred from the Social Welfare Department of the State Government to the Local Self Government institutions. The amount of pension is Rs. 1100.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The applicant must be either a widow or a divorcee
2. The applicant must not be remarried
3. Age of the applicant should be 60 years or more
4. The applicant should be a destitute
5. Annual income of the family should be Rs 1 lakh or less
6. Should a permanent resident of Kerala for at least 10 years or more
7. A person who has with applied for or is already registered with a Social Welfare Pension is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
8. If a person is a habitual beggar, then he is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
9. If any person is admitted to a poor home, then he won't be eligible

Pension for Unmarried Women who are older than 50 years

This scheme is implemented by the state government via Government order number GO (MS) 14/2001 which was dated 31/03/2011. The amount of pension is Rs. 1100.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The applicant should be older than 50 years of age
2. The applicant should be unmarried
3. The applicant should be a destitute
4. Annual income of the family should be Rs 1 lakh or less
5. Should a permanent resident of Kerala for at least 10 years or more
6. A person who has with applied for or is already registered with a Social Welfare Pension is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
7. If a person is a habitual beggar, then he is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
8. If any person is admitted to a poor home, then he won't be eligible

Pension for Mentally and Physically challenged people

In order to verify the relevance of application, primary health centres appoint various medical officers who also ensure that the applicant is mentally disabled. Any individual with more than 40% incapability are qualified to be a part of this scheme. The usual pension amount is Rs. 1100 and for individuals having 80% disability, the pension amount is Rs. 1300.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The applicant needs to submit a disability certificate
2. The applicant should be a destitute
3. Annual income of the family should be Rs 1 lakh or less
4. Should a permanent resident of Kerala for at least 10 years or more
5. A person who has with applied for or is already registered with a Social Welfare Pension is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
6. If a person is a habitual beggar, then he is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
7. If any person is admitted to a poor home, then he won't be eligible

Agriculture Labour Pension

This scheme was earlier managed by the Labour Department which is now handled by the local bodies. Currently, the local bodies have been instructed to receive applications, process them and grant pensions. The amount of pension is Rs. 1100.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The applicant should have been a agriculture labour for 10 years or more
2. The applicant should belong to the Kerala Agricultural Workers Welfare Fund
3. Should be of or more than 60 years of age
4. Should be a destitute
5. Should not be a plantation labour
6. Annual income of the family should be Rs 1 lakh or less
7. Should a permanent resident of Kerala for at least 10 years or more
8. A person who has with applied for or is already registered with a Social Welfare Pension is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
9. If a person is a habitual beggar, then he is not eligible for the Sevana Pension Scheme
10. If any person is admitted to a poor home, then he won't be eligible

Applying for Sevana Pension Scheme

In order to apply for the Sevana Pension Scheme, an applicant should follow the following steps:

1. The applicant should fill the application form by entering the required information.
2. The applicant should submit the application form to the concerned local body of the state like the Gram Panchayat, Corporation or Municipality Secretary.
3. The enquiry must occur within a time period of 45 days after the submission of application. The list of beneficiaries will be finalised within the time period of 45 days of the application post enquiry receipt.
4. If there needs to be an appeal filed against the beneficiary list, then it should be submitted within the time period of 30 days to the respective District Collector and the government can take the necessary decision against the filed appeal.
5. Once the list has been approved, the pensioner will be deemed qualified to avail the pension from the next month’s first week as per the availability of the funds.
6. The Kerala Government will be responsible for fixing an acceptable amount for the pensioners who were approved and then it will disburse the amount on a regular basis.

Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed in detail the Sevana Pension Scheme and the various schemes under it that are provided to various sections of the society. We also learnt about the process to apply for the Sevana Pension Scheme.