At least 800,000 fresh applications have been received seeking to be registered under the Aswesuma Welfare payment scheme

At least 800,000 fresh applications have been received seeking to be registered under
the Aswesuma Welfare payment scheme with an expected total beneficiaries of 2.4
million families this year, a Parliament Oversight Committee observed.

Noting that those fresh applications have an expected fifty per cent qualification rate,
the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) stressed that the scheme should prioritize
helping those truly in need and highlighted concerns about issues in the registration and
beneficiary selection process. The Committee also proposed the establishment of a
proper mechanism for registering and screening beneficiaries, along with other related
duties, and recommended corrective measures to improve the process.

While the number of beneficiaries remained unchanged at 1.7 million by December 31
last year, new applications are being invited, and selected beneficiaries will be included,
benefiting nearly 2.4 million families this year.

Earlier, the government extended benefits for the transitional group until March 31 and
for the vulnerable group until December 31, maintaining a monthly allowance of Rs.
5,000. Additionally, the government has increased benefits for the extremely poor to Rs.
17,500 and for the poor to Rs. 10,000, with families of two or fewer members receiving
half the amount.

The scheme provides monthly allowances of Rs. 2,000 for the elderly (over 70 years),
Rs. 5,000 for disabled individuals, and Rs. 5,000 for kidney patients. In July 2024, the
scheme was revised with Parliament's approval, increasing allowances: Rs. 5,000 for
the transitional group, Rs. 3,000 for the elderly, and Rs. 7,500 for disabled and kidney
patients.