Social Welfare pension to be distributed from May 1
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 26 2018: Director of Social Welfare, Jacintha Lazarus has said that various pension schemes under the Social Welfare Department (SWD), including old age pension scheme, disabled pension scheme and family benefit scheme, will be distributed from May 1.On the other hand, a smart phone will be provided to each and every Anganwadi centres in the State, under the National Nutrition mission, to take advantage of geotagging and upload photos to find out which Anganwadi Centres are operating and which are not.

Speaking to media persons during the third and last session of the continuous press conference organised by DIPR at Moirangkhom today, Jacintha Lazarus said that there are currently 60,701 beneficiaries of Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension scheme, after 7459 supposed beneficiaries were ticked out of an earlier total of 68,160 beneficiaries after necessary verification.

She explained that there are 4661 beneficiaries under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension scheme and they had been getting their pension till December of 2014 .

The State Govt had pressured the Ministry concerned to give out the approximately 40 months' worth of pending pension.

There is a high chance the pending pension may be given within May, she added.

There are 1325 beneficiaries under the Indira Gandhi National Disabled Pension scheme and 45,905 beneficiaries under the Manipur Old Age Pension scheme.

The Ministry has sanctioned the necessary funds for various pending pension schemes and as such the funds/pensions will be given out to the beneficiaries from May 1 through Public Finance Management System (PFMS).

Pointing out that the Social Welfare Department plans to give out the pensions for upto this year's March, the Director said that if the necessary account linking for PFMS has been completed for the beneficiaries, the pensions distribution process will be carried out smoothly.

The Department has also instructed the bank authorities to take up necessary steps to revive the 5000 dormant accounts of the beneficiaries, she said.

Jacintha Lazarus explained that a total of 2231 people have been provided the benefits of CMgi Shotharabasingi Tengbang (CMST).

The Department provides Rs 3000 to Rs 8000 per year as scholarships to disabled students.

The Department is planning to hand out necessary cards to select 575 disabled people to facilitate transport concession.

282 homeless elders will also be given proper assistance and support, she added.

Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment, Health Department and Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India in collaboration with the Dept have organised 13 camps at various parts of the States for identifying further beneficiaries and 2650 beneficiaries have been selected for issuing disability certificate.

1591 disabled have been provided wheelchairs, and other aids, she added.

The Department has identified 48 Govt buildings, including Manipur Civil Secretariat, for conversion to disabled friendly buildings and the Ministry has been informed about the necessary funds.

Work on the 48 buildings will begin as soon as the fund is released.

Speaking about Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, Jacintha Lazarus said that there are 11510 Anganwadi Centres in Manipur and these centres have around 3,40,981 children, from the age of 6 months to 6 years.

The scheme is also benefiting 67208 pregnant women.

The Director explained that rice were distributed to the Anganwadi Centres for two quarters for the last year.

Rice were not distributed for the third and fourth quarter due to some problems but the children at the Anganwadi Centres were still provided Support Nutritional Packages.

When asked about the construction of Anganwadi Centres at the residence of the helpers and workers, the Director mentioned that this trend will not be allowed in the new Anganwadi Centres and the new centres will be constructed only in the land donated by the locality or community land (which are gift deed and signed) and in the name of the SWD.

Under the National Nutritional Mission, a smart phone will be provided to the Anganwadi Centres and with the help of geotagging, photos will be uploaded which will then be analysed by the Department as well as the Ministry.

Pointing out that only those who have passed class X will be allowed to become Anganwadi workers, she stated that those who do not meet the criteria will be ousted from the post.

She also added that the Dept has taken up steps to weed out around 200 Anganwadi helpers who do not belong to the locality of the concerned Anganwadi Centres.

On the other hand, she informed that women in distress can reach toll free number 181 for assistance.

The help line number which was introduced by the Social Welfare Minister, has collected around 1000 cases till date, she added.

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