Scores of physically challenged, the old and infirm on Monday made a plaintive appeal to the authorities, asking for payment of their pensions that were kept pending for the past six months for the simple reason that their bank accounts were not linked with their Aadhar numbers.
The beneficiaries numbered about 60,000 in Greater Hyderabad limits, comprising those eligible for physically challenged and old age pensions, who get Rs. 500 and Rs. 200 respectively, a month. All those falling under the jurisdiction of the nine municipalities that were attached to Greater Hyderabad, have been running from pillar to post for their pensions.
Leading a dharna outside the offices of the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) here on Monday, Telangana State president Narasimha and secretary T. Rajender and the secretary of the Greater Hyderabad Unit, R. Venkatesh said earlier, the beneficiaries got it credited to their bank accounts.
“Consequent to a SERP circular that the beneficiaries needed to furnish their details like particulars of their ration cards and Aadhar numbers and link it up to their pension accounts, the payment has been kept on hold. Of the estimated 60,000 beneficiaries, only about 8,000 have been added so far and all we are asking is for at least their pensions to be released,” said Mr. Venkatesh.
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is apparently responsible for the job of linking up the said details and it was the failure of the officials, the agitators rued. Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governments have announced that from October, the pensions would be increased to Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 1,000 respectively, for the physically challenged and the aged. The agitators urged that until the increase was effected, the arrears at least be paid to them.
