STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Observing that responsible Government cannot shirk its responsibility and deny the rights to the citizens merely on the ground of financial constraints, former Minister and senior Congress leader, Raman Bhalla on Friday demanded immediate release of monthly pension of widows, old age and handicapped persons held for four months. He was addressing party workers during a programme organised by Chamal Singh Block President, Ex- Corporator and presided over by Anil Chopra District Jammu president.
“Finance Department while giving excuse that there is financial difficulty faced by the State should understand that raising of funds for ensuring basic amenities is a duty of the authorities running the administration and the responsible Government cannot shirk its responsibility and deny the rights to the citizens merely on the ground of financial constraints. The callousness of Government is evident from the fact that the proposal of enhancement of pension was kept pending and was not considered in the budget for the year 2015-16. Even in the budgetary provisions for the year 2016-17 no steps were taken in this direction. The DB has to intervene to wake up Government from slumber to realise its responsibilities towards them”, he added. Bhalla strongly maintained that welfare state is bound to consider welfare of the poor and deserving, who are unable to earn their livelihood for their decent living. Government should ensure basic amenities like food, shelter, health, etc. Former Minister has sought speedy release of funds from the Centre for pensions of old age, widows and disabled people under National Social Assistance Programme. He also demanded inclusion of number of pending pension cases for old age, widows and the disabled in the State which include 4,990 old age pension cases, 1,152 widow pensions, 207 handicapped besides 705 cases under NFBS and 1578 under IGNOAP lying pending with social welfare department. He also urged for adding of 2,366 cases under the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme and 3,923 cases under the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme with annual financial implication of Rs 2679.19 lakh for these 77,723 pending cases. “Besides, nearly 11,123 cases are awaiting sanction under the National Family Benefit Scheme under which one time assistance of Rs 20,000 is offered to Below Poverty Line families who lose their bread winners,” he added. “How do we cut down on our expenses?” This is one question that several families are increasingly pondering over.
The rise in prices of essential commodities in the last few months has put households in a fix, leaving them with little choice, he added.
