The Aasara Pension Scheme is a welfare initiative by the Government of Telangana to provide financial support to the needy and vulnerable members of society. Those included in the scheme are the senior citizens, widows, the disabled, HIV patients, toddy tappers, hand loom workers, and beedi workers who cannot gain a living because of age, disability, or socio-economic reasons.
Presented in 2014 and refreshed in 2021, the Aasara pension scheme aims to provide the target audience with social dignity and economic stability. The beneficiaries receive a specific amount of monthly pension deposited directly into their bank accounts.
Objective of Aasara Pension Scheme
The primary objective of the Aasara scheme is to provide a basic income to experts who are either physically unable to work or are living in extreme poverty. Aasara is a Telugu derivative of the word support because the scheme is meant to serve as a financial security net.
- The initiative aligns with the inclusive governance model of the Telangana state, which focuses on meeting the welfare needs of excluded groups.
- It is also beneficial in empowering the beneficiaries, who receive monthly pensions and are thus able to afford basic needs such as food, medicine, and shelter, among others.
- The scheme contributes to the elimination of the reliance on other people, as well as homelessness and begging among the vulnerable population
Characteristics of the Aasara Pension Scheme
- The authority allows different categories of beneficiaries to receive a pension every month.
- The beneficiaries have their bank accounts directly credited with the amount of their pension accordingly.
- To avoid duplication and ensure legitimate inclusion, they utilize biometric verification that prevents duplication.
- Government officials carry out the household surveys to identify the beneficiaries
- Implementation of the scheme takes place under the guise of the Department of Rural Development and Municipal Administration
- Agents or intermediaries and middlemen have no role to play in applying the scheme
Categories Covered Under Aasara
- Elderly people, that is, individuals who are 57 years or older
- The widows are left with no other means of income, nor do they have a family to look after them
- Disabled persons who have 40% or above in disability, as examined by the government doctor
- Weavers, toddy tappers, beedi workers and handloom workers with a BPL card on the poor side of the bridge
- Patients who have suffered from HIV/AIDS and are being treated in government hospitals
- Single women who do not earn any money or have a family, and transgender persons
- Schemes Approximation of Pension Number
- Old age people get 2,016 per month
- The disabled people get 3,016 rupees each month
- The widows, weavers, toddy tappers and other deserving categories get 2,016 a month
- The transgender persons and HIV patients get 2016 rupees per month
- The state government reviews the amount every now and then, depending on inflation and allocation of the budget
Eligibility Requirements of Aasara Pension
- The candidate has to be a permanent resident of Telangana.
- The applicant should be a member of a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family.
- The applicant should not be receiving another pension scheme from either the Central or State Government.
- The candidate should not be engaged with any government or other organization.
- The applicant should be within the set age limit in each category (e.g., 57 years and above in the senior citizen category).
- Applicants must have a valid Aadhaar card and an operational bank account linked to their Aadhaar.
- The disabled have to present a valid disability certificate issued by a competent medical board.
- Widows are required to present the death certificate of their late spouse.
- Handloom workers, beedi workers, and toddy tappers should be registered with the relevant government departments.
Documents Required to Apply
- The Aadhaar card of the applicant
- BPL proof ration card
- Proof of age i.e., birth certificate or voter identity
- Disability certificate (in cases of the disabled category)
- Death certificate of spouse (married women’s pension)
- Proof of profession i.e., weaver/tapper registration card (if any)
- Account number and the immediate financial system code copy of the bank passbook
- the applicant photo
- Evidence of residence in the form of an electricity bill or property slip
The Application Process for the Aasara Pension Scheme
- Visit the MeeSeva Centre/ Gram Panchayat office nearest to you
- Apply the Industrial Aasara pension scheme application form
- Bring all the necessary documents such as Aadhaar, ration card, photo, and certificates
- The form should be submitted to the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) or Municipal Commissioner
- This will be checked at the field level through appointed officers
- When this has been verified and approved, your name will be enumerated on the list of pensioners
- The amount of pension will begin to be credited to your bank account periodically (every month)
- One can also check the status of his or her Aasara pension application online by using the official Telangana EPOS/Aasara sites
- In case of a question or denial, you are allowed to address your Mandal officer or the office of the District Collector in search of redressal.
Helplines/Online Services
Under the scheme, the Telangana government has computerised a number of processes:
- In order to track Aasara pension status, you can visit https://aasara.telangana.gov.in/
- Visit an Aasara helpline or attend MeeSeva by bringing your Aadhaar and acknowledgement number to report grievances.
- The biometric verification is done either in banks or by field sanctions in case of a home visit
- The beneficiaries are required to re-verify after a specific interval to continue being active under the scheme
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the pension amount provided under the Aasara scheme?
Those who are qualified as beneficiaries are entitled to 2016 rupees on a monthly basis; the disabled are entitled to 3016 rupees on a monthly basis.
2. Is it possible to apply for the Aasara pension online?
The application process is hands-free, yet it can be accessed online on the official portal.
3. Who qualifies for the Aasara pension?
Category-wise eligibility is provided to the inhabitants of Telangana who are below the poverty line and have no other source of pension or employment.
4. Which documentation is necessary?
Aadhaar, ration card, age certificate, profession or disability certificate, bank account details, and passport photograph.
5. What is the time involved in getting approval?
Verification could take several weeks; credit for pensions is provided in case the approval process is over.
