In the fiscal year 2022-23, the Indian government demonstrated its unwavering commitment to supporting retired individuals and their families by disbursing a total of ₹2.41 trillion in pensions to over 65.74 lakh beneficiaries. Union Minister Jitendra Singh shared this information in Lok Sabha, highlighting the significant allocation made for both civil and defence pensioners, as well as pensioners from the telecom, railway, and postal sectors, and their respective families.
The disbursal of pensions was efficiently managed through various departments, including the Central Pension Accounting Office, the Office of Controller General of Defence Accounts, the Department of Telecommunications, the Railway Board, and the Department of Posts. These departments played a crucial role in ensuring that pension payments reached their intended recipients promptly.
A detailed breakdown of the pension disbursal reveals that civil pensioners and their families received a total of ₹40,811.28 crore. Meanwhile, defence pensioners and their families were allocated a substantial amount of ₹1.25 trillion, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting those who served in the armed forces.
The telecom sector’s pensioners and their families received ₹12,448.00 crore, while railway pensioners and their families received ₹55,034.00 crore. The postal sector, which has been an integral part of India’s communication infrastructure, received ₹8,214.85 crore to support its pensioners and their families.
Despite the significant spending on pensions, the Union Minister clarified that the minimum pension and family pension would remain unchanged at ₹9,000 per month. While this amount provides financial support, the government recognizes the impact of inflation on pensioners’ lives. To counter this, pensioners will continue to receive dearness relief, providing them with the necessary financial cushion to cope with rising prices and maintain their standard of living.
The government’s commitment to disbursing pensions to a large number of beneficiaries underscores its responsibility to ensure the well-being of retired individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving the nation. the Government has disbursed around ₹2.41 Trillion in Pensions. While the minimum pension amount remains constant, the provision of dearness relief reflects the government’s efforts to address the challenges posed by economic fluctuations.