The Jai Johar (Old Age Pension) Scheme was launched on 1st April 2020 by the Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal. It is a social security scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to Scheduled Tribe (ST) residents of West Bengal who are 60 years or older and do not receive any other pension from any authority.
The monthly pension amount of ₹1,000/- is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account. Over 3,00,000 beneficiaries have already been covered under this scheme.
Benefits
- A monthly pension of ₹1,000/- is transferred directly to the bank account of the beneficiary.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant should be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- The applicant should belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
- The applicant should be 60 years or older.
- The applicant must not be a beneficiary of any other Social Security pension scheme.
- The applicant must not receive any Government pension or pension from any other organization.
Application Process
Offline Application
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Obtain the Application Form:
- The applicant should collect the prescribed application form free of cost from:
- Block Development Officer (BDO) office (for rural areas).
- Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) office (for municipalities and notified areas).
- Commissioner, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) (for KMC areas).
- The applicant should collect the prescribed application form free of cost from:
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Fill the Application Form:
- Complete all mandatory fields.
- Attach a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required).
- Attach copies of all mandatory documents (self-attest if required).
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Submit the Application:
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the necessary documents to:
- BDO office (for rural applicants).
- SDO office (for municipalities and notified areas).
- Commissioner, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (for KMC applicants).
- Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the necessary documents to:
Documents Required
- Passport Size Photograph.
- Formal Caste/Tribe Certificate (If unavailable, a paternal relative’s caste certificate can be used initially, but the applicant must later provide their own).
- Digital Ration Card.
- EPIC (Elector’s Photo Identity Card) / Voter Card.
- Self-Attested Residential Certificate / Address Proof.
- Copy of Bank Passbook (for account verification).
- Aadhaar Card (for identification).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can the pension be transferred to a joint bank account?
No, the pension is transferred only to an individual bank account in the applicant’s name.
Q: Can a widow/widower avail of the Jai Johar Pension?
Yes, as long as they meet the age and eligibility criteria, a widow/widower can apply.
Q: Can a person with disabilities avail of Jai Johar Pension?
Yes, provided they meet the age, ST category, and other eligibility criteria.
Q: Is there an income criterion for eligibility?
No, the scheme does not have any income criteria.
Q: How often are applications processed?
Applications are processed on a rolling basis, and beneficiaries receive payments once their application is approved.
Q: Is assistance available for completing the application process?
Yes, applicants can seek help from BDO/SDO offices or community support centers for filling out forms and submitting documents.
Q: Can I submit a relative’s caste certificate for eligibility?
Yes, initially, an ST certificate of a paternal relative can be provided for assessment, but the applicant must later submit their own caste certificate.
Q: Are there specific age criteria for application?
Yes, applicants must be 60 years or older at the time of application.
Q: Is the pension provided in cash?
No, the pension is directly transferred to the bank account of the beneficiary.
Q: What is the frequency of pension payments?
The pension is disbursed monthly.
Q: Which departments oversee the disbursement of Jai Johar Pension?
The Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal, administers and disburses the pension.