FATYCM seeks extension of old age pension deadline, cites short notice for villagers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 09 2026: The Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) has urged the Social Welfare Department to extend the application deadline for the Manipur Old Age Pension Scheme (MOAPS), terming the current timeline "unreasonable and exclusionary" for rural elders.

In a letter to the Director, Social Welfare Department, FATYCM objected to the 'Press Release dated May 30, 2026', which was made public only on June 1, leaving applicants just nine days until the June 10 deadline.

The body said the short notice ignores ground realities in conflict-hit Manipur, where travel to District Social Welfare Offices remains unsafe or impossible for many village elders.

FATYCM further noted that mandatory Tribe/Caste and Income Certificates must now be applied for online, but villages lack reliable internet, digital literacy, and helpdesks, making the process take weeks.

It pointed out that disability schemes get 40 days' notice, while senior citizens were given only nine.

Calling the process "designed to ensure the poor miss out", FATYCM demanded an immediate extension of at least 30 days.

It warned that failure to act would be seen as a deliberate move to deny villagers their rightful pension.

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