Published Aug 07, 2026 | 11:11 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 07, 2026 | 11:11 AM
The new arrangement will apply to all beneficiaries, barring the bedridden and a limited category of unavoidable cases.
Synopsis: Delays in remitting undistributed pension amounts, failure to update records on time, reconciliation difficulties, instances of multiple pension payments to the same ineligible beneficiary despite the rollout of Aadhaar-based pension distribution, and the incentive costs incurred for home delivery through cooperative societies prompted the government to take the DBT route.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala has decided to discontinue the doorstep delivery of social security pensions, reversing a nearly decade-old decision by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led dispensation.
A Finance Department order on 27 July in principle approved the disbursal of social security and Welfare Fund Board pensions through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The new arrangement will apply to all beneficiaries, barring the bedridden and a limited category of unavoidable cases.
The doorstep pension delivery scheme was introduced in August 2016, allowing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and other cooperative credit societies to deliver pension benefits directly to beneficiaries’ homes.
The Finance Department said in its order that instructions had already been issued in July 2022 for societies to return undistributed pension amounts within a stipulated time and complete the required data entry on the service portal.
It warned that delays would attract interest on the outstanding amount and a reduction in the following month’s incentive.
However, Kerala Social Security Pension Limited (KSSPL) repeatedly informed the government that many societies failed to record repayment details within the prescribed period despite being given a 10-day window after each month’s pension distribution.
Also Read: Government employees misuse welfare pension meant for the poor
The government cited several reasons for discontinuing the doorstep delivery system.
They included delays in remitting undistributed pension amounts, failure to update records on time, reconciliation difficulties, instances of multiple pension payments to the same ineligible beneficiary despite the rollout of Aadhaar-based pension distribution, and the incentive costs incurred for home delivery through cooperative societies.
The order also noted that the state was losing financial assistance from the Centre because the existing system did not comply with the Union government’s DBT guidelines.
Referring to a KSSPL communication in May 2026, the Finance Department said the agency had recommended making DBT-based pension disbursal mandatory for all beneficiaries except bedridden patients and other unavoidable cases.
After examining the proposal, the government approved the shift to Aadhaar-linked DBT, effectively bringing an end to the decade-old doorstep pension delivery system introduced by the previous LDF administration.
