Continuing the programmes of late Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister K Rosaiah will commence the Abhayahastham pension scheme for women by handing over policy certificates to enrolled members at Chevella on November 1. The country’s largest pension scheme supported by the government and renamed as 'Dr YSR Abhayahastham' would begin from Chevella from where the late chief minister used to launch many of his schemes.

On the same day, ministers in charge of districts will hand over policy certificates to the members in their respective districts. About 50 lakh members have already enrolled into the scheme and paid their annual contribution of Rs 365 each to the Mandal Samakhyas to be transferred to the LIC, fund managers of the scheme. The beneficiaries will get Rs 500 as pension for the rest of their lives.

On Wednesday, Rosaiah held a review meeting of the scheme with officials at the Secretariat. It is proposed to distribute the policy certificates in all Mandals between November 1 and 10 through MLAs and public representatives concerned. The Chief Minister decided to release the government’s contribution of Rs 15 crore per month on a regular basis. Out of the 50 lakh enrolled members, 4.5 lakh have crossed 60 years and are now eligible to receive the pension from November.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to thoroughly verify the eligibility and other details of the 4.5 lakh immediate beneficiary members before issuing the sanction proceedings. He also directed that bank accounts be opened in the name of beneficiaries for payment of pension through biometric system to prevent malpractices. An MoU in this regard will be signed with LIC on October 27.

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