Tripura adds 5,458 new widows and elderly to its Rs 2,000 monthly pension scheme, says Minister Tinku Roy. New help desk launched for cancer patients.
The Government of Tripura has announced a major expansion in its social welfare initiatives, with over 5,400 new beneficiaries added to the monthly pension scheme and several additional support mechanisms rolled out for vulnerable populations. State Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education, Tinku Roy, addressed the media on Wednesday at the Civil Secretariat to detail the government’s latest decisions aimed at uplifting the underprivileged.
According to Minister Roy, 5,458 new beneficiaries—mainly widows and elderly individuals—will be included under the Mukhyamantri Social Pension Scheme, which provides a monthly pension of ₹2,000. This expansion is in addition to the existing 3.90 lakh beneficiaries currently availing pensions under 34 different schemes administered by the state.
“The government has decided to extend the benefit of the monthly social pension of ₹2,000 to 5,458 new beneficiaries. These pensions will be specifically targeted at widows and senior citizens under the Mukhyamantri Social Pension Scheme,” Roy said.
Support for Cancer Patients Through Dedicated Help Desk
In a bid to address delays in pension disbursal to cancer patients, the state government has also decided to set up a dedicated help desk at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Regional Cancer Centre in Agartala. The decision follows reports that many terminally ill patients fail to receive timely financial assistance due to bureaucratic hurdles.
“We have come across cases where cancer patients submitted their applications for pensions, but by the time the paperwork was processed, the patients had passed away. Some only survived for a few months after approval. This is unacceptable. Hence, the help desk will offer on-the-spot support to cancer patients seeking pension benefits,” said Minister Roy.
Currently, 3,400 cancer patients in the state receive monthly pensions under a specialized scheme designed for them.
Breakdown of Pension Schemes in Tripura
Tripura currently operates 34 pension schemes, out of which three are centrally sponsored, and the remaining 31 are state-sponsored. Among the 3.90 lakh total beneficiaries, 1,40,675 are covered under central schemes, while 2,30,517 receive pensions through state-level initiatives.
Since the launch of the Chief Minister’s Pension Scheme, a total of 28,809 beneficiaries have been added. Significantly, 1,77,477 of the beneficiaries are women, underlining the scheme’s gender-inclusive focus.
Aadhaar Linking Essential to Prevent Fraud
The Minister emphasized the importance of linking Aadhaar numbers with pension accounts to streamline disbursals and avoid duplication.
“Out of 3.90 lakh beneficiaries, 3.75 lakh receive their monthly assistance in the first week of each month. These are individuals whose Aadhaar cards are properly linked. Some people avoid linking their Aadhaar to conceal dual entries or ineligibility. A small fraction even receives double benefits. The department will take corrective steps soon,” Roy stated.
Proposal for 100 English Medium Anganwadi Centres in AMC Areas
In another significant development, Minister Roy announced that the government is considering a proposal to set up 100 English Medium Anganwadi Centres within the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) limits. This move is aimed at modernizing early childhood education in urban areas and making it accessible to a wider demographic.
The initiative is being supported by corporate entities under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Minister Roy acknowledged the efforts of institutions like HDFC Bank and State Bank of India (SBI) in this regard.
“HDFC Bank has already sponsored the renovation of 10 Anganwadi Centres and has adopted 32 more. SBI, on the other hand, has contributed ₹38 lakh under CSR for the modernization of 40 Anganwadi Centres,” Roy informed.
Commitment to Inclusive Social Welfare
These announcements underscore the Tripura government’s commitment to building an inclusive social welfare framework, especially for the most vulnerable sections of society. Whether it is senior citizens, widows, children, or cancer patients, the state aims to ensure timely and effective delivery of essential services and financial aid.
The multi-pronged approach—including pension expansion, institutional support, and infrastructure upgrades—marks a significant step forward in addressing long-standing welfare challenges in the state.
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