August 8, 2015 05:47 IST
- STAFF REPORTER
Beneficiaries told to register for Aadhaar
Welfare pensions of the city Corporation will soon shift to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode as per a recent directive of the State government. But, pending pension payments from as far back as November last remain a concern.
For the past few months, the civic body has been scrambling to get beneficiaries registered for Aadhaar, the first step towards shifting to DBT from money orders. Welfare Committee Chairperson Palayam Rajan says the new system will help identify discrepancies and track other irregularities in the pension system.
“Recently, after the introduction of DBT, we found that 32 of the beneficiaries were drawing two different pensions. In a few cases, people in the same locality of the beneficiaries told us about such practices. We then asked the beneficiaries which of the two pensions they want to continue with,” says Mr. Rajan.
Announcing a Cabinet decision earlier this week, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the pension amounts would be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries if they had one. They could choose the money order route if they wanted. But Corporation sources say it is not easy to stick to the old system.
“Those who want to continue with the money orders should provide a medical certificate proving that they are bedridden and are not in a position to apply for Aadhaar cards. Also, they have to get a recommendation letter from the respective councillor,” says the source.
Aadhaar mandatory
Despite government claims of Aadhaar not being mandatory, the above condition effectively makes it so for beneficiaries who are hale and healthy.
The welfare pensions consist of those for widows, old age, differently abled persons, agricultural labourers and unmarried persons above 50 years. According to Mr. Rajan, payment was last made in April this year, when the arrears till November last were paid. Earlier this week, the Cabinet cleared payments for three more months, which will reach the beneficiary accounts before Onam.
Many beneficiaries were drawing two pensions
Beneficiaries may choose money order route