Bandiora December 20 (KNS) Jammu Kashmir Apni Party Vice President Usman Majid on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the death of an elderly citizen namely Sonaullah Bhat hailing from Malangam area of district Bandipora who died while waiting in a queue for submitting his old age pension form in Tehsil Social Welfare office Bandipora.
He expressed dismay over hardships being faced by disabled, widows, divorcees, old age pensioners and transgenders who are getting pension through the Social Welfare Department in online registration. In a statement issued to press. He alleged that Government has devised a mechanism to deprive a large number of eligible persons from the benefit of old age pension scheme, by prescribing numerous requirements, which would be very difficult for any poor and aged person to fulfil.
Majid said the benefit of old age pension scheme is availed by the poor, old and infirm people but the number of formalities prescribed would be impossible to be completed by the poor and aged people, most are whom are either bed ridden, unable to take rounds of several government offices. Most of the beneficiaries are returning home after days without getting their details uploaded to the official site. Instead of enhancing the quantum old age and widow pension, the Government is in a mood to deny this benefit to lot many people in Jammu and Kashmir. There is lot of resentment amongst people in this regard, he said, demanding immediate withdrawal of the new instructions.
Majid urged that government must simplify the existing procedure and enlist door- to- door beneficiaries and enhance the existing scale to Rs 5000 per month and demanded immediate relief for the victim’s family.(KNS)