Aged pensioners left high and dry
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 12 2015 : Hundred of elders were left starving from morning till late evening at 1st Manipur Rifles ground in the name of distributing old age pension money by Social Welfare Department officials who fled from the spot without giving any prior information to the elders who were waiting patiently for their turn throughout the day.

Speaking to the media persons, one old age pension beneficiary said that they were asked to come before 6 am, three hours before the scheduled time to the 1st Manipur Rifles ground to collect the pension amount today so that their documents could be checked in advance under the Supervision of the District Social Welfare Officer.

The old age pensions have been pending since February 2012 and the amount ranges from Rs 4,800 each for black and blue card holders to Rs 3,400 each for white card holders.

He further said as per the instruction given by Social Welfare Department officials, they went to the 1st Manipur Rifles ground at 6 am and waited till 11.30 am for the arrival of officials without eating anything.

Aged persons wait in vain for their pensions

After the arrival of officials led by Kh Ahanjao, District Social Welfare Officer along with his 25 staff at around 11.30, two and a half hours after the scheduled time, the proceeding of distributing pension money started for four Assembly Constituencies namely Mayang Imphal, Sekmai, Lamshang and Wangoi on four different tables.

After distributing the pension amount to some of the beneficiaries, Kh Ahanjao left the place at around 6 pm without giving any information to the pensioners who were waiting for their turns all day although he left behind some of his staff.

When the beneficiaries asked why they have stopped the proceeding of distributing pension money, one of the staff told them that there was no more money left and they (staff) too left the place at around 8.30 pm, leaving the aged pensioners dejected and exhausted.

Later some of the beneficiaries complained to their respective MLAs about the ill treatment.

Soon after that Wangoi AC MLA Lukhoi arrived and was visibly shocked to see large numbers of elders putting up at 1st MR ground till late evening in the hope of getting their meagre old age pension money.

The MLA made a call to Social welfare Minister AK Mirabai and informed her about the situation at 1st MR Ground where media persons had by then rushed in.

Unaware that the MLA had his mobile phone's loudspeaker turned on Mirabai replied that it did not matter whether media persons were present at the area or not, She maintained that it was not her problem.

Decrying the words used by AK Mirabai, Thongkhong Luxmi Nagar Panchayat Ward number 6 Member Laishram Tomba said that it was a very unfortunate and irresponsible response from a very responsible person like the Social Welfare Minister.

She should step down from the post of Social Welfare Minister.

MLA Lukhoi remarked Minister Mirabai has exposed her true image today.

Her harsh words and nonchalant attitude testify she has neither any respect for aged people nor for the media, he added.

It is reported that many aged persons are waiting for their turns to take their pension money till the time of filing this report on the assurance of Minister Mirabai that officials concerned would be sent back with sufficient amount of money.