Rajasthan Pension Crisis: Delay in Verification Leaves 8 Lakh Beneficiaries Without Support

Delay in Verification Halts Pensions for 8 Lakh Seniors and Women in Rajasthan: Urgent Action Needed

In Rajasthan, the Social Security Pension Scheme—meant to provide monthly financial aid to elderly citizens and women—is currently facing a serious hurdle. Around 8 lakh beneficiaries, mostly senior citizens and women, are struggling as their pensions have been suspended due to delays in the verification process.

This scheme, launched to ensure basic financial security for those unable to earn a livelihood, has become a lifeline for many. However, due to administrative lags in verifying beneficiary details, pension disbursement has been temporarily halted for lakhs of eligible individuals.

Verification Delay Impacts 8 Lakh Pensioners

According to the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, pensions have been withheld for nearly 8 lakh beneficiaries. The reason: incomplete verification of their eligibility. Although the process was scheduled to be completed earlier this year, only about 90% of beneficiaries have been verified so far.

The remaining 10%—which translates to nearly 8 lakh people—are yet to be verified. As a result, their pensions are now on hold, causing distress, especially among the poor, elderly, and women who rely on this monthly financial aid to meet basic living expenses.

The pension scheme currently supports approximately 93 lakh beneficiaries in Rajasthan, with the majority being women and senior citizens. These vulnerable groups are now caught in limbo due to procedural delays, raising concerns over their financial well-being.

Jaipur Lags Behind in Completing Verifications

Surprisingly, the state capital Jaipur has reported the lowest performance in completing the verification process. The final date set for completing verifications was May 30, but Jaipur failed to meet expectations.

Out of the total pending verifications, Jaipur alone accounts for nearly 15%. The overall delay in the city has contributed significantly to the backlog, with only 18% of the pending verifications remaining unprocessed across the state—but Jaipur represents a major chunk of this figure.

This isn't the first time Jaipur has faced criticism in this regard. The issue has been under discussion for over 18 months now. Many pensioners have complained that they have not received their pension for the past three or more months, resulting in financial instability.

Need for Immediate Resolution

The delay in pension disbursement is more than just a bureaucratic issue—it's a direct threat to the livelihood of lakhs of people. For many elderly citizens and women, this pension is their only source of income. Even a minor delay in receiving it can create serious challenges, including difficulty in affording food, medicines, and daily needs.

Activists and concerned citizens are now urging the state government to expedite the remaining verifications and resume pension distribution without further delay. They believe that such essential welfare schemes must be handled with greater sensitivity and efficiency to ensure that beneficiaries are not made to suffer due to administrative inefficiencies.

Conclusion

The Social Security Pension Scheme in Rajasthan was designed to bring financial stability to the most vulnerable sections of society. However, due to inefficiencies in the verification process, over 8 lakh people are now left without support. With rising public pressure and growing unrest among beneficiaries, it is crucial for the authorities to act swiftly and ensure that the pension resumes for all those entitled to it.