Haryana Budget 2024-25: Social Security Net Enhanced, Pensions Increased

In a significant move to strengthen the social safety net for citizens, the Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has announced several progressive measures in the state budget for 2024-25. Presented in the Assembly on Friday, the budget outlines various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations and ensuring their well-being.

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Enhanced Social Security Pensions

Recognizing the importance of financial support for senior citizens and individuals in need, the state government has substantially increased the Old Age Samman Allowance and related pensions. The allowance has been raised from Rs 1,000 per month in December 2014 to Rs 3,000 per month, providing much-needed relief to over 31.51 lakh beneficiaries. This marks a significant increase from the 22.64 lakh beneficiaries in December 2014.

Proactive Identification of Beneficiaries

To ensure that eligible individuals receive the benefits they deserve, the government has adopted a proactive approach through the Parivar Pehchan Patra. This initiative has enabled the identification of over 2.14 lakh Old Age Samman beneficiaries and over 5940 Divyang pension beneficiaries in the last 18 months. The government plans to extend this proactive pension provision to other schemes, such as widow and destitute women pension, widower pension for men above the age of 40 years, in the next three months.

Addressing Concerns of EPF Pensioners

In a move that addresses the concerns of senior citizens receiving Employee Provident Fund (EPF) benefits, the state government proposes to amend the Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme. This amendment aims to provide benefits to pensioners whose EPF pension is less than Rs 3,000 per month. The government will ensure that the sum total of the allowance provided by the government and the EPF pension is equal to the Old Age Samman Allowance of Rs 3,000 per month or as amended from time to time.

Relief for Farmers: Abiana Service Charge Waiver

In a significant relief to farmers dependent on canal water, the state government has announced the cessation of abiana service charge levied on the consumption of canal water from April 1, 2024. This measure entails a one-time waiver of approximately Rs 140 crore and an annual relief of Rs 54 crore, benefiting farmers in 4,299 villages across the state.

Other Welfare Initiatives

In addition to the aforementioned measures, the Haryana budget includes several other welfare initiatives aimed at improving the lives of citizens. These include:

• Allocation of Rs 100 crore from the Haryana Rural Development Fund for the repair of SC and BC chopals in the state.
• Launch of Urban-Svamita scheme to provide property certificates to owners of properties in abadi areas of erstwhile villages that have been included in municipalities.
• Establishment of e-libraries in all government-model Sanskriti Senior Secondary schools in a phased manner.
• Expansion of the free student transport scheme to all blocks in the state, providing transportation to students from classes 1 to 12 who live more than one kilometer from their school.
• Training of 5,000 women from 500 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in drone operations and maintenance, providing them with drones to rent to farmers for agricultural purposes.
• Formation of 58,797 SHGs under the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission, engaging 6.04 lakh women in various activities, with a goal to bring 2 lakh women into a higher income level.
• Construction of auditoriums with a capacity for hosting 500-1,000 persons in all big cities in the state under Divya Nagar Yojana.
• Establishment of a public library at each district headquarters.

The Haryana budget for 2024-25 reflects the state government's commitment to enhancing social security, providing relief to farmers, and implementing various welfare measures to improve the lives of citizens. By addressing key concerns and introducing proactive initiatives, the budget aims to create a more inclusive and prosperous society for all.