The Odisha government has issued strict directives to all district collectors to verify voter identity cards following reports of elderly individuals inflating their ages to qualify for the enhanced Rs 3,500 social security pension.
The move comes after authorities detected instances of applicants altering their birth dates on voter ID cards to meet the eligibility criteria for the pension scheme, which targets individuals above 80 years of age and those with over 80% disability.
In a letter dated September 3, 2025, issued by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, Secretary R.S. Gopalan instructed district collectors to thoroughly scrutinise voter ID cards to detect any recent changes in birth dates. The government has also ordered the suspension of pension disbursements to ineligible applicants who have manipulated their age records.
The social security pension scheme, recently revised by the state government, increased the pension amount to Rs 3,500 for individuals above 80 years and those with severe disabilities, while the minimum pension under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) was raised to Rs 1,000. The increased pension amounts have reportedly led to a surge in applications, with some individuals resorting to fraudulent means to qualify.
To address this issue, the government has mandated a detailed verification process, including cross-checking previous voter ID records to confirm whether age amendments were made. The department has emphasised the urgency of the matter, urging district collectors to act swiftly to ensure only eligible beneficiaries receive the pension.
The crackdown aims to safeguard the integrity of the social security scheme and ensure that the benefits reach those who genuinely qualify. Authorities have been directed to take immediate action to identify and exclude fraudulent applicants, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparent and fair welfare distribution.
