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| Old age pensioners at “Mercy of God” | | Rs 200 to make ends meet! | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Aug 12: In the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Social Welfare Department gives old age pension at the rate of Rs 200 per month. Whether it is a dole or a token of recognition of the services of the pensioner, the department alone knows.
The pensioners of the state have been demanding an increase in the old age pension to lead an honourable life.
One of the pensioners, Milkhi Ram from Akhnoor said the paltry sum wasnot made available in time. “We have to visit many times to the banks and the office of the Social Welfare Department to enquire about the status of the pension”, he said.
He said that this pension should be hiked to rupees one thousand per month and should be paid regularly so that they get enough money at least for their medical needs.
It is pertinent to mention here that there are approximately 12 lakhs pensioners in the state and about 25 thousand in Tehsil Jammu alone.
In many cases the old age pension is the only source of income for them as their children have deserted them. The concerned have even failed to take note of the growing inflation. Inflation has increased but pension has not.
Another pensioner, Ramesh Lal from Marh area of Jammu said that this is the crucial time when these senior citizens require financial support. The government have left them in the lurch instead of increasing the pension, he rued..
He accused employees’ organizations of ignoring them. “The old age pensioners have been left at the mercy of God”, he said.
He sought intervention of all the employees’ organizations and the civil society in getting their problems solved.
District Social Welfare Officer, Jammu Atul Sharma said deficiency of funds was a major hurdle in paying the pensioners regularly.
Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo could not be contacted even after repeated attempts.
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