Impassioned pleas for timely disbursal of welfare pension and weeding out ineligible persons from the Life Mission beneficiary list dominated the Corporation council proceedings on Wednesday.
Councillors raised a host of complaints regarding sanctioning of pension and their disbursal. They alleged that there were innumerable people who were waiting for pension even two years after applying for them. Councillors from both the fronts alleged that a number of ineligible persons were receiving pension. In some instances, the pension was being given despite the beneficiary passing away.
Officials were not taking action in such cases claiming that they did not have the related documents. The councillors said that the closing down of the website for receiving applications had worsened matters.
Welfare standing committee chairperson Gita Gopal assured them that only the eligible would receive pensions. A government order to take a relook at the applicants had been received recently, and steps were under way at the ward level. Along with affidavits, testimonials of relatives too would be sought.
She clarified that the website had been opened, but had been closed down again temporarily till August 10.
Land issue
There was an uproar in the meeting over the Corporation handing over land to the NGO Union at Ulloor for building houses under the Life Mission. The Opposition said that instead of handing over land to the union for building the houses, the money should be deposited in the Corporation account for the Life project. The Mayor’s clarification that the houses would be handed over to the Corporation did not cut ice with the Opposition.
The BJP councillors said the agenda could not be accepted and should be set aside. The UDF members too raised the demand.
Public toilets
The council approved a recommendation to build public toilets in 19 places. The work will be taken up using Swachh Bharat Abhiyan funds and that of the Corporation.
Meanwhile, BJP councillor Karamana Ajith who experienced uneasiness during the council meeting was taken to hospital.
