Lakhs eye social security pensions

KARIMNAGAR: A total of 3, 05,555 applications were received from residents of the two corporations and nine municipalities in Karimnagar district seeking food security cards and social security pensions by November 1.

The total number of applications received for food security cards is lower than that of the beneficiaries in the past. But the number of applications received for pensions is higher than the existing number of beneficiaries so far.

The government asked for fresh applications from the economically poor in order to replace the existing ration cards with food security cards and to offer enhanced social security pensions. As many as 3,12,476 applications were received between October 29 and November 1. Of them, 2,21,802 lakh applicants sought food security cards and 83,751 pensions.

The total number of applications received for food security cards in urban areas has dropped down by 56,993. Earlier, the number of beneficiaries benefiting from the public distribution scheme in urban areas was 2,78,795. But the total number of applicants seeking pensions is higher than the existing. About 30,748 more people are seeking social pensions now.

The dip in the number of applications seeking food security cards can be attributed to the strict guidelines set by the state government. Applicants were asked to mention their Aadhaar numbers and they also had to sign a declaration stating that they could be punished if they were found ineligible. Earlier, 9, 02,997 applications were submitted in rural parts seeking food cards and pensions from October 10 to 15.