Old aged persons deprived of pension benefits, charges Dr Ibohalbi
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 11 2013:
With the State Government coming up with strategy to disburse old age pensions to the people of the State through their personal accounts, many of the beneficiaries have been deprived of the benefit under the scheme as they are not able to open accounts in the bank, exclaimed MLA Dr I Ibohalbi.
Moving a calling attention motion on the floor of the House today, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that following the guidelines of the Government of India, the State Government started disbursing pensions to the old aged persons of the State under the old age pension scheme through their respective bank accounts.
It is worth considering whether this system actually is applicable in the State or not.
In other States where the numbers of banks are high, the system could be practicable.
However, in Manipur where there are very less number of banks and many of the beneficiaries lived in far off places where there are no banks at all, the system will not be feasible, he noted.
He further informed the House that there are a number of old age pensioners who are deprived of the benefits as they are yet to open their bank accounts.
He also pointed out the problems that would arise in withdrawing the pension amount after the death of a pensioner if the pension amount was earlier transferred into the account before the death of the pensioner.
Chief Minister O Ibobi, while responding to the calling attention motion, said that the Government of India has brought out guidelines for enjoying the benefit of old age pension schemes.
Under the guideline, a pensioner has to open an account in a bank and withdraw the monthly pension amount from the bank.
The guideline also applies in Manipur as well.
The local MLAs should take the initiative in helping the pensioners to open their personal bank accounts.
The Chief Minister also stated that the Government is trying to open bank branches in the hill areas of the State.
Social Welfare Minister, AK Mirabai informed the House that there are altogether 1,09,075 beneficiaries of old age pension scheme in the State.
Out of this, 80,000 of the beneficiaries have opened their personal bank accounts so far.