Haryana Enhances Divyang Pension Scheme by Adding 10 More Categories

Chandigarh, Jan 23 (NationPress) In a significant step towards enhancing inclusivity for Persons With Disabilities (PwDs), the Haryana Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on Thursday sanctioned modifications to the Haryana Disabled Pension Rules, 2016.

With this decision, 10 new categories of PwDs will now qualify for pension benefits. This initiative is in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which currently recognizes 21 disability categories by the Central government.

Previously, the state government provided pension support to individuals with 11 disability categories. The recent rule amendments will now enable an additional 32,000 PwDs to access monthly pension benefits.

The newly recognized categories include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, speech and language disability, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.

At present, there are 208,071 beneficiaries in the state receiving a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 under the Haryana Divyang Pension Scheme. With the inclusion of these 10 new categories, it is estimated that around 32,000 more PwDs will benefit, as stated by an official announcement.

The Cabinet has also abolished the age restriction for individuals affected by hemophilia and thalassemia to qualify for financial aid. Previously, individuals had to be 18 years or older to receive assistance.

Under the revised regulations, support will be extended to these individuals irrespective of their age.

Moreover, financial aid for hemophilia, thalassemia, and sickle cell anemia will be provided in addition to any existing social security pension that beneficiaries may already receive.

The Cabinet introduced the Haryana One-Time Settlement Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues of 2025.

This newly designed scheme aims at settling outstanding tax liabilities under seven pre-GST Acts, allowing taxpayers with liabilities up to Rs 10 lakh under any single Act a concession of up to Rs 1 lakh.

Additionally, 60% of the remaining principal tax amount will also be waived.

Taxpayers with outstanding liabilities exceeding Rs 10 lakh but less than Rs 10 crore will also receive a 50% concession on their tax amount.

It is anticipated that over 200,000 taxpayers will benefit from this scheme. Notably, all taxpayers taking advantage of this scheme will have their interest and penalty amounts entirely waived. Taxpayers with settlement amounts over Rs 10 lakh will be permitted to pay their principal amount in two installments.

The Cabinet also sanctioned the Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development, set to run from 2024-25 to 2029-30.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing air quality and minimizing emissions throughout the Indo-Gangetic Plain, a region that crosses several state boundaries.

The Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD) is a state government initiative backed by the World Bank.

The total budget allocated for the project is Rs 3,647 crore. This will be financed through the World Bank’s Program for Results mechanism. The project will support the enhancement of air quality management systems in the state while aligning efforts with those of the Central government.

It will focus on the design and implementation of sector-specific air pollution reduction measures and promote coordination among states in the Indo-Gangetic Plain to mitigate cross-border emissions. Additionally, the project aspires to improve the “ease-of living” for citizens in urban areas.