West Bengal Old Age Pension New List Released and Payment Status Check Online
Old Age Pension: The West Bengal government has brought a wave of relief for thousands of beneficiaries at the beginning of February. In a significant move, the state has started releasing funds for Old Age, Widow, and Disability (Manobik) pensions to new recipients. According to sources from the state secretariat (Nabanna), approximately 1.28 lakh new beneficiaries have been added to the payout list, and the credit process has already commenced.
Who Made it from the Waiting List?
There is often confusion regarding whether fresh applications are being approved immediately. It is crucial to understand the current mechanism. The government is strictly prioritizing individuals who were already on the ‘Permanent Waiting List’ rather than processing entirely fresh applications right now.
Under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), an annual verification process involving Digital Life Certificates (DLC) and physical verification is mandatory. During this scrutiny, authorities identified numerous vacancies caused by the demise of existing beneficiaries or disqualification due to ineligibility. To fill these newly created “vacancies,” 1.28 lakh eligible applicants from the waiting list have been inducted into the active beneficiary list.
The Struggle for Quota Expansion
Currently, the state supports approximately 20.46 lakh elderly citizens under the pension scheme. The West Bengal government has been consistently requesting the Central Government to increase this quota to 28 lakh for the past two years. However, since the approval for the expanded quota is still pending, the state is utilizing the existing vacancies to accommodate as many waiting applicants as possible.
Understanding the Fund Breakdown
Beneficiaries receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000. This amount is a shared responsibility between the State and the Central Government, varying by age group:
- Age 60 to 79: Out of ₹1,000, the State Government contributes ₹700, while the Central Government provides ₹300.
- Age 80 and above: For this category, the contribution is split equally, with both the State and Centre providing ₹500 each.
How to Check Payment Status Online?
Citizens can easily verify if they have been included in the new payment cycle through the official portal. Here is the step-by-step process:
- Open any browser and search for “Jai Bangla” to visit the official Government of West Bengal website.
- Click on the “Track Applicant Status” option available on the homepage.
- Select the appropriate scheme name from the dropdown menu (e.g., WCD Old Age Pension for elderly, WCD Widow Pension for widows, or WCD Manobik for disability).
- Enter your registered Mobile Number, Aadhaar Number, or Beneficiary ID in the search field.
- Input the displayed Captcha code correctly and hit the ‘Search’ button.
Interpreting the Result:
- Approved: Your name is on the list.
- Payment Under Process: The fund transfer has been initiated.
- Payment Success: The money has been credited to your bank account.
- Verified and Pending: You are eligible but have to wait for the next slot.
