Electronic transfer system breaks down
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 25 2014 : Social Wel-fare Minister AK Mirabai has conceded that she is facing hard times trying to answer the question, "When would the old age pension be paid?" .

Mirabai made this confession in response to a call attention motion raised by MLA L Ibomcha about the difficulties encountered by aged citizens on account of failure of electronic transfer system.

Ibomcha said that beneficiaries of old age pension, disa- bility pension and widow pension schemes have been put in a difficult situation be-cause of the failure of electronic transfer system.

Launched in 1992 with Rs 100 per month, the old age pension has now reached Rs 200 per month.

Subsequent upon introduction of e-payment system, pensioners of the State were asked to open bank accounts but they were not allowed to open accounts at zero balance despite a reported assurance from the authority to this effect.

The beneficiaries were allowed to open bank accounts only after payment of Rs 100 .

According to guidelines, the process of opening bank accounts should be done at the homes of pensioners, and their pension amount should be delivered at their homes.

The lapses and discrepancies dogging the scheme are on the part of bank, not the department, Ibomcha asserted.

AK Mirabai said it was a fact that the pensioners were not allowed to open bank accounts without paying Rs 100 .

The Manager of SBI MU branch was called and enquired about the annoyances they caused to pensioners.

The Manager reportedly apologised and gave assurance to avoid such inconveniences in future, Mirabai informed the House.

She further assured that old age pension would be paid very soon.

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