Old Age Samman Allowance (Pension) Scheme
In order to provide social security to such old people who are unable to earn their livelihood by their own means and need financial help, Old Age Pension Scheme was started initially on 1-4-1964 during the period of United Punjab. The rate of pension, which was Rs. 15/- per month at the time of starting of the scheme, was increased from time to time. This scheme was adopted by Haryana Government from 1-11-1966 and during the year 1966-67, pension amounting to Rs. 24,680/- was paid to 2362 beneficiaries. In the year 1987, liberalization of old age pension was done and pension at the rate of Rs. 100/- per month was paid to the people of 65 years and above from 17-6-87. The State Government further liberalized this scheme and started Old Age Pension Scheme-1991, which has now been renamed as Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme.
This scheme was started from 1st July, 1991. In this, the eligibility age was reduced from 65 years to 60 years. The objective of this scheme is to ensure the benefit of old age allowance to the needy, especially the poor sections of the society like agricultural labourers, rural artisans, members of Scheduled Castes/Backward Classes and small and middle class farmers etc. From the year 1991 to October, 1999, pension was given at the rate of Rs. 100/- per month, which was increased to Rs. 200/- per month from November, 1999. From November 2004, it was further increased to Rs. 300 per month and from March 1, 2009, it was made Rs. 500-700 per month and from 01-01-2014, further increasing it to Rs. 1000 per month. The rates of old age samman allowance have been increased to Rs. 1200 from 01.01.2015, Rs. 1400 from 01.01.2016, Rs. 1600 from 01.11.2016 and Rs. 1800 from 01.11.2017, Rs. 2250 from 01.01.2020 and Rs. 2500 per month per beneficiary from 01.04.2021.