Digital payment system, transportation grant for pensioners

Senior citizens are set to benefit from a major digital upgrade as the government prepares to launch an electronic payment system aimed at improving the distribution of pensions.

Speaking at a public meeting in Industry on Friday night, President Irfaan Ali said work was underway to introduce a digital payment card specifically tailored for pensioners.

“Our pensioners will soon stay in their homes, look at their digital cards, and enjoy seeing their money available in their accounts,” the president said.

He described the initiative as a step toward modernising social services and ensuring that development reaches those who helped build the nation.

The technology will also be extended to public assistance beneficiaries to enable automatic, bias-free disbursement of grants across the country, Ali said. So far this year, the government has transferred approximately $37 billion (US$177 million) to more than 76,000 pensioners. An additional $10 billion has been allocated to public assistance programmes.

As part of a wider effort to boost household welfare, the president also announced a series of economic relief measures, including a 50 per cent cut in electricity costs, a 46 per cent increase in public sector wages, and the doubling of the income tax threshold from $65,000 to $130,000—effectively removing more than 60,000 individuals from the tax net.

To address transportation challenges, a new grant will be introduced to assist pensioners and schoolchildren.

“And we also want our pensioners and our elders to see the development that is taking place in our country… That is why we will create a special transportation grant and allowance for pensioners and our children so we can support their movement,” he said. (DPI)