Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 23: Denying reports in a section of media, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space Dr Jitendra Singh clarified here today that Aadhar Card is only optional for drawing pension and contrary to the reports, it is not mandatory for a pensioner to produce Aadhar Card to withdraw his pension.
Addressing a meeting of the Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) of Pensioners, organized by the Pensions Department, Government of India, here today, Dr Jitendra Singh, however, suggested that it is advisable for each one of us to obtain an Aadhar Card. It is not only a document of individual identity but also helps in simplifying the procedures to obtain several other benefits being provided by the Modi Government, he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Modi Government is extremely sensitive to the concerns and priorities of pensioners, whose number has considerably increased over the last few years.
Referring to certain exclusive provisions incorporated in the current budget of 2018-19 presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Dr Jitendra Singh said, a standard deduction of Rs. 40,000 per year has been allowed to pensioners. Not only this, he said, exemption on tax on account of interest income from bank saving accounts and post office saving accounts, which was earlier allowed upto Rs. 10,000, has now been increased to upto Rs. 50,000 per year in case of pensioners and senior citizens.
Dr Jitendra Singh made a special mention of the health insurance provisions introduced on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, as per the current budget, deduction on account of health insurance premium, which was earlier allowed to the maximum of Rs. 30,000, has now been increased to Rs. 50,000 in case of pensioners/senior citizens. Similarly, he said, for critical ailments, the expenditure on treatment was allowed up to Rs. 60,000 in case of senior citizens and Rs. 80,000 in case of Very senior citizens but it has now been increased up to Rs. 1,00,000. The Jan Aushadhi Centres opened all across the country will also cater about 800 medicinal drugs at significantly lower prices.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the increasing number of pensioner population can benefit India through its expertise, experience and energy. He said, the Pensions Department is always open to inputs and suggestions form superannuated citizens and at the same time, constantly working on new programmes like “Bhavishya”, “Sankalp”, etc for the benefit for the pensioners.
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