Verification Process Begins for Old Age Pension Scheme in Moradabad; New Eligible Beneficiaries to be Included:

The National Old Age Pension Scheme’s social welfare department is about to carry out the verification process for 52628 beneficiaries in Moradabad district for the financial year 2025-26. The purpose of the verification process is to identify genuine claimants so that only certified individuals are able to access the provided pension benefits.

Verification Deadline and Process

The set deadlines as issued from the Chief Secretary's Government Order instructs that all Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates are to finish the verification process for pension beneficiaries by May 25. Those beneficiaries who have passed away or no longer meet the eligibility criteria will be replaced by new qualified individuals.

Eligibility Criteria

Claimants aged 60 and above who fall under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category qualify for this scheme as they receive a quarterly pension of Rs 1,000 which is given through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Permanent residents of the state of Uttar Pradesh whose annual earnings are below Rs 46808 in rural areas and 56460 in urban regions are also required.

Rural verification is administered by Block Development Officers (BDOs) while it is overseen by Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Executive Officers of the District Magistrate in urban areas.

Steps Taken on Wrong Verification Actions

The Social Welfare Director has instructed all Divisional Deputy Directors and Social Welfare Officers to cross-check a minimum of 10 percent of all cases per verification for quality control. The District Magistrates will take severe disciplinary action against any officer or employee who erroneously categorizes living beneficiaries as deceased.

Inclusion Economically Weak Families

The Social Welfare Department for its part is including the elderly (aged 60 years or more) from these families in the pension scheme and the first installment of pension is scheduled for disbursement from June under the Zero Poverty Abhiyan initiative which aims to include 25 economically weaker families from every village.