Specially-abled, elderly people in Kupwara await release of pension for months

Kupwara, Mar 30: Specially-abled and elderly persons across north Kashmir’s Kupwara district Saturday expressed strong anger against the Social Welfare Department for failing to provide them monthly pension for the last several months due to which they are subjected to severe hardships.

They said that hundreds of people in Kupwara including elderly, specially abled persons, widows and divorcees have not received monthly pension of Rs 1000 for the last several months thus making their life miserable.

“We are struggling for our survival but the concerned authorities seem to be insensitive regarding our hardships. For years we have been demanding enhancement of pension from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000 but instead of enhancing financial assistance, authorities have stopped the meagre assistance,” said a beneficiary.

“Since most of the beneficiaries solely rely on pension for their day to day needs and by not getting it has really made us suffer,” he added.

Another beneficiary said that they were forced to move from one government office to another to get requisite documents such as Domicile Certificate, Age Certificate, Aadhaar and Disability Certificate to register them on SUGAM portal to avail the social welfare pension scheme, but after the passage of several months they were left with empty hands.

“I am unable to buy medicines due to lack of money. I along with other persons have completed all the formalities but still then we have been deprived of the pension. We have been moving from the Social Welfare Department to the Bank for the last several months but every time we return with empty hands,” he added.

“Earlier we were told that before the start of the holy month of Ramadhan, we will be provided pension but the Ramadhan is about to complete, we are yet to receive pension,” said another beneficiary.

They have appealed to authorities to provide them with the monthly pension without further delay so that the hardships being faced by them may end and most importantly they can celebrate Eid.