Muktsar pensioners not paid benefits for months
Friday, 12/04/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130412/punjab.htm#3
Muktsar : In the home district of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, as many as 65,890 persons registered as beneficiaries under various pension schemes have not received any benefit for the months of January, February and March.
The state government had decided to pay Rs 250 per month to every pensioner registered under various categories such as old age, widows etc. Sources said not a single penny had been disbursed among the beneficiaries since February 5, when they were paid for the months of November and December.
The government has started the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system to check embezzlement but has failed to achieve the basic purpose of providing pension to benef-iciaries in time.
An employee with the social security and welfare office claimed the situation was almost similar in other districts. Harpal Singh, District Social Security Officer, Muktsar, Ferozepur and Fazilka, said: “The higher-ups are aware of the issue.The pension amount will be disbursed shortly.”
Awaiting funds
- 13,079 beneficiaries in Muktsar city
- 52,811 beneficiaries in Muktsar rural
- 49,616 old-age beneficiaries
- 9,095 widows
- 3,896 physically challenged
- 3,283 destitute children
