Old age pensioners now in utter confusion
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 24 2013: The beneficiaries of National Old Age Pension and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Schemes are now in confusion following State Government's instruction for mandatory opening of personal bank accounts to check fraudulent practices in these schemes.

According to a reliable source, the process of opening bank accounts was taken up by the State Government following complaints of certain irregularities in the schemes with regard to selection of beneficiaries on the preference of MLAs and other elected representatives.

The Government is planning to transfer the pension directly to the accounts of beneficiaries.

The process of opening bank accounts for beneficiaries is being carried out by correspondents of banks.

The beneficiaries apparently require the consent of correspondents concerned at the time of withdrawal of money from the bank.

Non-issuance of bank passbooks to the beneficiaries furthermore creates confusion to the beneficiaries.

They could not check whether the pension amount has been credited to their accounts or not.

The aged beneficiaries are facing problems while trying to withdraw their pension.

The banks are dealing with beneficiaries from over 30 constituencies daily.

Some Ministers and MLAs have reportedly given the pension from their own pockets to please the beneficiaries.

The schemes of National Old Age Pension and Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension need to be streamlined to serve lakhs of beneficiaries across the State, the source added.

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