With the click of the mouse, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transferred Rs 871.46 crore into the accounts of 86,71,781 beneficiaries across the state as two months’ pension.

The funds sent relate to old age, illiterate women, disabled and leprosy pensions. The money was transferred to the beneficiaries at a programme held at the 5 Kalidas Marg official residence of the chief minister in Lucknow on Friday.

On the occasion, Yogi also interacted with the beneficiaries of Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Moradabad and some other districts through video-conferencing.

The chief minister said that the world was fighting a battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

On the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a lockdown was enforced and people have been asked to ensure social distancing, he added.

“At this juncture, when all economic activities have come to a grinding halt, we cannot leave the poor, the deprived and the destitutes in a helpless state. The government stands by them. The administrative machinery of the state has carried forward various schemes for the poor in a time-bound manner,” Yogi said.

The chief minister said that Rs 871.4693 crore had been transferred to the accounts of 86,71,781 beneficiaries getting pension through various schemes.

“For ordinary people, the amount may be very small but what it means to a poor person can be understood by looking at the glow on their faces. Besides, the amount of Divyangjan pension was Rs 300, which has been increased to Rs 500 by our government,” Yogi said.

The chief minister said that his government had earlier sent Rs 1,000 to the accounts of more than 27.15 lakh construction workers.

“The process of providing free ration to MGNREGA workers, Antyodaya card holders and other people affected by unemployment due to the lockdown is in operation from April 1.

Besides, wages amounting to Rs 611 crore have been transferred to the accounts of 88 lakh MGNREGA workers,” Yogi Adityanath said.