The chief minister Champai Soren is to launch and digitally disburse first installment of Mukhyamantri State Old Age Pension (MMSOAP) on March 6 at the Tana Bhagat Indoor stadium in Ranchi. 

Director of the state social welfare department Shashi Prakash Jha said "The chief minister Champai Soren is to disburse pension under the MMSOAP scheme to 1,52,605 beneficiaries. It will be the first installment @1000 rupees per month."

Jha said "There had come 5,68,821 applications for the MMSOAP. Out of this 1,52,605 were processed for payment to be made by the chief minister Champai Soren on March 6.

However the sanctioned strength of them pegs at 1,71,060 on the portal till March 2.

Explaining as to why 1,52,605 are to start getting pension on and from March 6 and not the sanctioned figure of 1,71, 060 as shown on the portal to which the director said "No sanctioned one is any left out. It's fund available to meet 1,52, 605 first. There is no reason to worry."

Palamu's share of processed for payment is 4,287 while Latehar has 9,  785 and Garhwa 4,927.

It's women who are the largest applicants for the pension as women count little over 4 lakhs out of the total applications 5,68,821filed for the pension. 

Again ST women applicants are 1,22,538 as against 69,112 SC women applicants. 

This pension is for poor, destitute etc in the age group of 50 to 60. HIV affected persons, Divyangjan and women getting widowed after 18 years of age  are eligibles for this MMSOAP. 

It's Sarvjan Pension and these beneficiaries are the new ones. The social welfare department Ranchi made all hectic efforts to process a huge list of beneficiaries for payment added Jha when this department arranged funds lying with its offices in the districts. 

Director Jha further said "The chief minister Champai Soren will be disbursing incentive money worth 5, 000 rupees for outstanding Aagan badi Sewikas and equally for outstanding Sahayeekas worth 2,500 rupees (read Poshan trackers) which account for 40 crores of rupees."

Principal secretary to the Mahila, Baal Vikas Avam Samajik Surakchha department Vandana Dadel has written to all the DCs of the state to make this MMSOAP and Poshan Pakhwara 2.0 to be in  a mission mode  in order to reach out to the masses. 

Vandana Dadel has asked for lectures, debates, exhibition, rallies to create and generate awareness about Poshan Pakhwara so that the fight against malnutrition or undernutrition is tackled with.

The Poshan Pakhwara drive  is to be held simultaneously at the district level. End