DW BUREAU / SHIMLA The Government of Himachal Pradesh is working vigilantly to provide social security to destitute, old, abandoned, disabled and poor people. With the commitment to uplift such people, the state government is providing social security to them through various pension schemes. Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the present state government has not only enhanced the pension amount, but also reduced the age limit of old age pensioners from 80 years to 70 years. Along with this, those who are unable to earn their livelihood have also been included under social security pension schemes. Destitute women, differently-abled children are being benefited through the Scholarship for Disabled Children. Social welfare is the top priority of the state government. Social security pension is one such scheme which is providing relief to several people living below poverty line. At present, among the total 5,69,248 social security pension beneficiaries in the state, there are 3,85,039 old age pensions, 1,19,713 widows/ destitute/single women, 63498 disability pensions, 995 leprosy and 03-transgender pensions. Due to the global pandemic 'coronavirus', the state government had decided to give six months pension in advance to beneficiaries of tribal area and three months advance pension to beneficiaries of non-tribal areas, on which Rs 424.58 crore have been spent so far.The 83-year-old widow Durgu Devi of village Dawanda in Karsog area of ??Mandi district is one such beneficiary who received advance pension of Rs. 4500 for three months during corona pandemic. Apart from this, 90-year-old Jhudu Ram and Shari Devi of Gram Panchayat Dabrot of Karsog area have expressed their gratitude towards Chief Minister for providing them pension at their door step. Two and a half years ago, the age limit of social security pension has been reduced to 70 years. With this decision about 2.85 new beneficiaries above the age limit of 70 years are being provided with the enhanced amount of Rs. 1500 per month instead of Rs. 1300 per month, without any condition of income limit, with this there are 3,85,039 total beneficiaries above the age group of 70 years. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary said that the State Government is endeavouring to provide social security pension to all those persons who are eligible for pension facility. She said that during the last two and a half years, the Government has sanctioned 163607 new cases of Social Security Pensions, including 130931 old age pensions, 18,203 widow/destitute/single women pensions and 14,473 disabled pensions. (editor@dailyworld.in)