S TAHIR-UL HAQ
EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, Mar 27: In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government of India and especially the government of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, has ordered to release salaries of daily wagers and pensions of pensioners before scheduled time, but maximum number of pensioners from district Kupwara have been waiting for their much needed monthly pensions.
Nazir Ahmad, a retired official from the Urban Local Bodies Kashmir said that recently government of JK had announced that pension and salary will be released in favour of pensioners and daily wagers respectively but the process is yet to get initiated.
On March 25, the Administrative Council which met under the chairmanship of Lt Governor, G C Murmu had directed the immediate release of all pensions of one month to give reprieve to the retired class in view of the situation arising out of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, said Nazir Ahmad.
He said that the Governor has asked the finance department to take necessary steps in this regard, but I fail to understand why no immediate step was taken so for.
“Even though the decision was widely appreciated by the pensioners and other people, but being a pensioner from Handwara of district Kupwara, such order has not been implemented on ground and particularly in Kupwara district”, said Nazir Ahmad.
He told Early Times that he is already suffering from multiple problems, his family particularly his wife is not feeling well and she has to undergo for dialysis thrice in a week.
“Unfortunate part of the story is that, even my G P Fund was not released so far from Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora, for which I had given them an advice almost six months back”, retired official said.
The retired official said that he moved from pillar to post to get his G P Fund released, but nothing happened till date.
“I fail to understand that, why such things are happening with honest people. I served the department of Urban Local Bodies Kashmir for almost three decades with utmost sincerity. I can’t ask anybody for help. I am not in a position to afford huge amount for the dialysis of my wife,” said an aggrieved Nazir Ahmad.
Meanwhile, sources said, “There are thousands of pensioners across Jammu and Kashmir UT and hundreds in Kupwara district only who are waiting for their pensions.”
Right now the situation is not conducive for anybody to avail a loan from the banks or otherwise as the prevailing circumstances are not allowing them to do so, sources informed. |
