Kerala Moves Welfare Pension Disbursal to DBT, Drops Cooperative Banks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The continuation of the distribution of social security and welfare pensions by the Kerala government has ended through cooperative banks and make Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts mandatory for beneficiaries, and only except bedridden patients.

According to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (LSGD) K R Jyothilal, the Finance Department has given in-principle approval for disbursing all social security and welfare fund board pensions through the DBT system. The move replaces the existing practice of cooperative banks delivering pension payments directly to beneficiaries’ homes.